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P500 monthly grocery discount for Srs, PWDs any time
By Nidz Godino
ANY time this month of March Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will raise monthly discount cap on groceries and prime commodities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) to P500.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said DTI is set to order discount increase raising maximum discount for groceries and prime commodities to P125 weekly or P500 a month.
Current rules allow senior citizens and PWDs to enjoy 5% special discount on groceries, with total discount limited to P260 per month or P65 per week.
Romualdez, met with DTI Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez and other officials , said DTI will commit to implementing discount hike before end of March.
Sanchez said joint circular from DTI, Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy enforcing increase will be issued even as consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing.
Discount covers only basic goods and prime commodities, such as rice, corn, bread, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cooking oil, sugar, vegetables, fruits, onions, garlic, as well as fresh and processed milk, except medical grade milk.
Also covered are manufactured goods, such as processed meat, sardines, and even corned beef, although premium brands are not.
Senior citizens and PWDs also stand to enjoy additional discounts on basic construction supplies, like cement, hollow blocks, and electrical supplies, including light bulbs.
Premium items, including non-essential food such as cakes and pastries, are exempted from additional discount, Sanchez said.
This comes after hearing by House commitees on senior citizens, persons with disabilities and ways and means on February 13 where lawmakers urged officials to raise discount cap on groceries in light of food inflation.
House ways and means chair Rep. Joey Salceda (Albay, 2nd District) said when adjusted for inflation, total discount should be around P126.31 per week.
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