We applaud the respect accorded to the senior citizens of our society but would like to bring up the following points regarding the guidelines to implement Rule V, Section 14 of the IRR of R.A, 9257, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act 2003. 1.) Section 3. Supermarkets or Food Retailers can never afford to offer the 20% discount to senior citizens noble as the act may seem. The Supermarket Industry averages around 3 to 5% mark-up for basic necessities and prime commodities especially for PAGASA members who cater to the mass market. This privilege for senior citizens is from the very beginning destined to be abused by the unscrupulous in our society be they senior citizens or not. 2.) Section 3�..�for the exclusive use of the senior citizens.� This premise will find difficulty in practice as anyone accompanying a senior citizen entitled to the proposed discounts may misuse/abuse the privilege of the said senior citizen by asking the latter to buy...

 Senior citizens are now qualified for a five percent discount on the prices of basic commodities aside from medicines, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday said. Basic goods such as canned sardines, canned tuna, coffee and powdered filled milk bought from groceries by senior citizens should be discounted by five percent, according to RA 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, the DSWD said. Also included in the discount are bread, white and brown sugar, cooking oil, instant noodles, luncheon meats, meat loaves, corned beef, preserved or ready-to-cook pork, beef and chicken, and laundry soap. The law punishes violators with a fine or imprisonment. DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said that to avail themselves of the discount, senior citizens should get a purchase booklet from the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in their city or municipal hall, and these booklets will be used for every purchase of the products. Soliman al...