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Business sector hit “booklets for meds no longer required for seniors
By Nidz Godino
“I am also senior citizen… I know it is hard to always bring purchase booklet with you. ..seniors need discount on their medicines, and we must make it easy for them to get that,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.senior citizens are no longer required to present purchase booklet to avail themselves of 20-percent discount when buying medicine..
Through Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2024-0017, Herbosa allowed removal of such requirement provided for under Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
Herbosa called his directive “gift of convenience and more affordable medicines to all of our senior citizens … on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”
Under AO, senior citizens no longer need to present purchase booklet to drugstore, along with valid identification and doctor’s prescription, in order to get 20 percent discount.
Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, chairman of committee on senior citizens in the House of Representatives, lauded Herbosa’s initiative.
“Thank you very much for action, DOH, on behalf of all senior citizens nationwide,” said Ordanes, member of House’s committee on health.
“We also hope that this policy included our persons with disability, who also have discount booklets themselves…they also buy medicines and medical devices…unnecessary booklet is…finally, DOH is enlightened on this, it is very good of them that they heeded House Resolution 2031, approved as Resolution 253, and listened to our joint hearings of House committees on senior citizens, ways and means and PWDs,” he said.
House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo had pushed for removal of booklet system for senior citizens, saying requirement is “useless” and “insult” to the elderly.
But some business groups, such as Philippine Consumer Centric Traders Association, said booklet system is needed as way to monitor purchases.
Meanwhile, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed concern over proliferation of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In statement, CHR said proliferation of fake PWD IDs is serious violation of Republic Act 10754, which amended Magna Carta for Disabled Persons that provided PWDs with 20 percent discount and exemption from value-added tax on certain goods and services.
“Fraudulent practices of this nature undermine integrity of these privileges and trivialize legitimate struggles and daily challenges faced by persons with disabilities…these benefits are essential to improving their quality of life and fostering inclusivity in society,” the commission said.
CHR also welcomed efforts of government agencies to address the issue, including possibly requiring unified ID system by Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“This system is intended to enhance transparency and accountability through real-time ID verification, ensuring that benefits reach only those who genuinely qualify,” it said.
Bureau of Internal Revenue also announced nationwide crackdown on sale and use of fake PWD IDs as measure to prevent revenue losses due to fraudulent tax evasion schemes.
“We commend and support these initiatives…they are crucial in safeguarding benefits and privileges accorded to persons with disabilities while ensuring that resources are allocated to those who genuinely need them, we call on all sectors of society, including businesses, organizations and the general public, to actively combat fraudulent activities…report any instances of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities or related schemes to National Council on Disability Affairs at council@ncda.gov.ph, Persons with Disability Affairs Office or appropriate law enforcement agencies” the CHR said.
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