I HAVE been reading with interest Ramon Farolan’s columns on the rights of senior citizens. I am one of them, and he has indeed helped us a lot.
Another problem that I would like to bring to his attention is the non-acceptance of credit cards by hospitals for the payment of fees for blood examination, X-ray, ultrasound, etc. They insist that a cash payment be made; otherwise the 20-percent discount will be reduced. For me, these services are even more urgent than the need to buy medicines. One goes to the hospital for a medical exam because it has become very necessary.
In this connection, I was wondering if Farolan has a facility, say, an e-mail address, for accepting comments or suggestions from senior citizens, regarding problems they encounter and how these can be addressed in a collective and organized manner.
Whether or not he has this facility, I am volunteering my services to assist in this endeavor.
– Angelo V. Manahan (via e-mail)
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October 30th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Priority attention for senior citizens
By Ramon J. Farolan
Inquirer
Last updated 02:44am (Mla time) 04/23/2007
MANILA, Philippines - Last April 5, Holy Thursday, President Macapagal-Arroyo marked her 60th birthday, which is considered by Asians as one of the more significant milestones in the life of an individual. For one thing, it bestowed on the President senior citizen status, which now entitles her to all the privileges and benefits accorded any resident citizen of the Philippines who is 60 years of age or older.
These benefits and privileges are in line with the provisions of our Constitution declaring that “the State shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable costs” with priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children. The “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003″ classifies those citizens aged 60 and above as “elderly” and therefore entitled to priority care. This in a nutshell is the basis of the 20-percent discount that senior citizens are entitled to, particularly as regards health care.
But is the law being implemented faithfully so as to ensure that senior citizens get what is due them?
Let us examine the situation.
For sometime in the past, we could not use our credit card and enjoy at the same time the full 20-percent discount on medicine and food items in restaurants. There have been significant changes recently, although in some establishments, customers still run into the same difficulties as before. The much touted “Botika ng Bayan” program of Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan is a case in point. Some medicines being sold at Botika ng Bayan outlets cost about the same as those in regular drugstores; and the outlets do not accept credit cards. We are not aware if this is because the outlets are not prepared for credit card transactions or they simply prefer that customers pay in cash. At any rate, the costs should be substantially lower than at regular drugstores if the moniker “Botika ng Bayan” is to have special meaning for the less affluent sector of our society.
In the case of restaurants, I have come across establishments saying that credit card payments are entitled only to a 15-percent discount. It is only when I argue with the manager that they back down and honor the full 20-percent entitlement. Which brings me to an important point. We must be prepared to assert our rights and privileges, forcefully if necessary so that business establishments become more aware that old practices must come to an end. If we remain complacent, quiet and timid, we are not helping ourselves. In fact, we help perpetrate continued discrimination against senior citizens.
Possibly one area of health care which is another source of discontent for senior citizens has to do with diagnostic and laboratory fees being charged by facilities other than hospitals. Most often, there is no actual breakdown of costs and so the patient has no idea at all if he was given the 20-percent discount. And since we often find it difficult to argue under these circumstances, we accept whatever is required of us. In some cases, the facility itself determines what tests are entitled to a discount.
The law is quite clear. Senior citizens are entitled to “twenty (20%) discount on medical and dental services and diagnostic and laboratory fees such as but not limited to X-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests including professional fees of attending doctors in all private hospitals and medical facilities.” The implementing rules and regulations issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development say the same thing.
We must overcome this timidity to question issues that involve our limited resources and health benefits. No one else will do it for us. There is supposed to be a monitoring and coordinating mechanism at the national level known as the National Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Board on the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003.” The board is chaired by the social welfare secretary, but I doubt if the board is even aware of or has tried to ease the burden of senior citizens in relation to diagnostic and laboratory fees being imposed by medical establishments.
One of the functions of this board reads: ìDevelop effective monitoring and reporting systems towards an efficient, consistent and uniform implementation of the law.î It is also tasked to conduct nationwide information, education campaigns and other advocacy activities on the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. What is clear is that Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral goes on television every now and then to talk about cardiovascular ailments. While this is also beneficial for the elderly, perhaps she can devote more time to a vigorous and uniform implementation of the Senior Citizens Act and leave specific health matters to Health Secretary Francisco Duque. Or maybe, they may wish to switch jobs. What is important is that someone is focused full-time on improving the implementation of the senior citizens law.
Finally, the 12 percent expanded VAT has practically wiped out the 20-percent discount for senior citizens. Is there no way for the government to correct this situation or to cushion the impact of this imposition without having to wait for Congress to enact new legislation? When the 12 percent EVAT was passed, did anyone take into account its effect on the life of senior citizens?
As I mentioned in an earlier column, the life span of Filipinos, male and female, has lengthened over the years. Barring accidental death, it is very likely that all of us will eventually reach senior citizen status. Now is the time to join hands in making sure that the senior citizen law is fully and faithfully implemented.
* * *
Recently, the valedictorian of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 2006 was discovered to be afflicted with liver cancer. Air Force Second Lieutenant Ariel Toledo, a native of Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, is in need of financial assistance for various procedures that could provide him with a new lease on life.
Perhaps the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association could marshal support for this deserving young officer and see him through a difficult stage in his career. It is a project worthy of the attention and backing of all Peemayers. Contact PMA Alumni Association at Tel. Nos. 912-5074 or 913-3937.
More Inquirer columns
Previous columns:
Love and money at the World Bank– 04/16/07
The Fall of Bataan– 04/09/07
Life without Monet– 04/02/07
Perfidy in our foreign service– 03/26/07
Throw away P500? – 03/19/07
Davide at UN – 03/12/07
Of senior citizens, discounts, credit cards – 03/08/07
Of senior citizens, discounts, credit cards
By Ramon J. Farolan
Inquirer
Last updated 00:16am (Mla time) 03/05/2007
MANILA, Philippines-FIRST OF ALL, A NUMBER OF FRIENDS HAVE ASKED ME why I was moved from Sunday to Monday, and from a horizontal to a vertical layout. My response: A case of civilian supremacy over the military.
* * *
For many years, since my medicine needs rose because of various ailments often connected with the aging process, I had tried to use my credit card for medical purchases which now run into four-digit figures on a weekly basis. Each time I would present my credit card at the Mercury Drug outlet in our neighborhood, the clerk would inform me that the 20-percent senior citizens’ discount was available only for cash payments. It was futile to argue with the clerk or even with the branch manager, as they would invoke company rules which they had to follow. Not being very knowledgeable with regard to the provisions of the Senior Citizens’ Law, and since the medicines were needed on a regular basis, we accepted their ruling although with much reluctance. Many restaurants and airlines were honoring the senior citizens’ discount even with the use of a credit card, and yet this distribution giant in such a vital sector of the economy appeared to be able to determine by itself what the senior citizen was entitled to in terms of discounts.
Last January, Carlos Manalastas of Sampaloc, Manila decided to do something about this problem. He wrote the Inquirer, asking if the Mercury Drug interpretation of RA 9257 known as the Expanded Senior Citizens’ Act, authored by then Sen. Noli de Castro and Rep. Eduardo Zialcita, was correct.
In reply, Vice President De Castro wrote: “I would like to assure Mr. Manalastas that senior citizens can avail themselves of the 20-percent discount regardless of the manner of payment for the purchase of medicines.”
As I mentioned in an earlier column, armed with a copy of the Vice President’s letter, I proceeded to the Kamuning branch of Mercury Drug and presented my requirements accompanied by the prescriptions, purchase slip booklet and my senior citizen’s ID card. After being informed of the total cost, I presented my credit card. As usual, the clerk politely informed me that the 20-percent senior citizen’s discount was only available for cash payments. After I showed him a copy of Vice President De Castro’s letter, he disappeared for a few minutes. The assistant branch manager then showed up, informing me that the matter had to be referred back to the home office.
When I returned home, I spoke to Vice President De Castro, relating to him my experience. He immediately took steps to address the problem by sending a letter to the president of Mercury Drug Inc., Ms Vivian Q. Ascona. He informed the company that “upon presentation of the senior citizen’s identification, there is no other condition imposed for the grant of the 20-percent discount . . . . The law does not distinguish whether or not the purchase is on cash basis or through credit card.”
In a lengthy reply, Ms Ascona raised the problem Mercury Drug was having with the BIR which “treated the discount as a deduction from gross income instead of as a tax credit.” She also said, “we are selling at a loss every time we sell to a senior citizen and each sale is draining our capital. Accepting credit cards in payment for such sales would further compound our financial sufferings.”
In a meeting chaired by Vice President De Castro and attended by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Finance Secretary Gary Teves and Ms Ascona, it was decided that the problems with the BIR were a separate matter and would be addressed separately. The benefits granted to senior citizens should not be held hostage to this issue.
Last Tuesday, Jessie Andres, chief of staff of Vice President De Castro, informed me that Mercury Drug had agreed to honor the 20-percent senior citizens’ discount whether payment was in cash or credit card. The company would be sending out instructions to this effect to its different branches nationwide.
Two days ago, after allowing for some time to get the new arrangements in play, I decided to purchase my usual supply of medicines. To my great relief, my credit card was accepted with the 20-percent discount being granted—no hesitation, no questions asked.
Let us thank Carlos Manalastas for raising the issue last January, something we should have done even earlier.
Most of all, we thank Vice President De Castro for his prompt response, truly in the Ramon Magsaysay tradition of attending to the needs of our people who are up against some of the industry giants.
* * *
Rodrigo M. Profeta, barangay chair of Barangay 603 Manila, wrote to complain about a McDonald’s food branch located at the SM Centerpoint. Apparently, this branch requires senior citizens to present not only a senior citizen ID card but also a BIR TIN card before granting them the 20-percent discount.
C’mon, George, say it isn’t so! It is absurd to require a BIR TIN card for a taste of your delicious hamburgers.
* * *
Which brings me to another problem on retail transactions using credit cards, debit cards and automated teller machine cards.
Recently, Trade Secretary Peter Favila noted that a number of retailers have been charging differently on specific items, depending on the mode of payment. “Purchases using credit cards are priced higher than those paid with cash,” he said.
Favila explained that under Department Administrative Order No. 10, “When the consumer opts to pay either through cash or card, he or she should pay only what is stated on the price tag. There should only be a single price tag indicating the cost of each item. The price tag should be inclusive of the value-added tax for items covered by VAT. It is unlawful to charge an additional tax over the price tag,” Favila said.
It is time for consumers to be aware of these rules and regulations so as to protect themselves from unfair trade practices. It has been said that vigilance is the price we pay for freedom. It is also the price one pays for fair and lawful treatment from greedy business establishments.
More Inquirer columns
Previous columns:
The return of Francis G. Estrada – 02/26/07
The Singapore story – 02/18/07
God be with you, Nandy – 02/15/07
The power of a distribution giant – 02/04/07
Hail our young heroes - 01/28/07
The P26 billion should be accounted for - 01/14/07
@ Angelo V. Manahan
Sir, have read your comment with interest.
About two weeks ago I extensively commented on an editorial “Empowering the Senior Citizen” Along with it were suggestions on how to consolidate and update the census of senior citizens (SC), classify the sickly, potential but stagnant, the constructive/ productive from the burden. And those that are still voting. Perhaps, these were presented in an incisive manner hence, it was deleted from the post as it coincided the on going bungling in the investigations Congress to the neglect/passage of the Cheap Medicine Bill against the backdrop of >2billion lobby fund for the frothy mouth Congressmen.
Please continue following it up with Mr Farolan whom I think could help lay down the structure/system to maximize the wisdom of these soon to be extinct species in our midst. In other countries it is very interesting to observe SC leisurely but happily assisting children crossing the streets in every school, leading traffic control, as elevator personnel in a plush establishments, resource persons in charitable and social organizations, and so on. They are not marginalized, instead, with candor walk along the sidewalks with positive outlook in life. They feel their role as a vital link in the daily conduct of life.
The SC as a cohesive group could help bringing into attention and full enforcement in the retrieval of our VANISHING SIDEWALK/PEDESTRIAN NATIONWIDE to ease the burden of the ever increasing number of road related accidents among our children and to the infirmed likewise.
Perhaps you could try to initiate too through this advocacy with my support. More Power..
May 27th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Re senior citizen issue: another problem that should be looked into is the vat charges being imposed on senior citizens specially when purchasing maintenance pills. after deducting the normal 20% senior citizen discount, the drug store will then slap a 12% vat. For a P1,000 purchase, instead of P200 discount, the buyer will only be given a P104 cut after the vat charges. Ang mahal na ng gamot nilalagyan pa ng vat!
May 19th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Indeed, the proposal is laudable. We should in fact encourage our senior citizens to have a website devoted to their concerns. The government too should establish a senior citizens center where they can address their concerns including continuing education.
May 19th, 2007 at 10:18 am
I wonder if we can take the senior citizen’s priviledge further by giving every senior citizen 65 years old or older a guaranteed pension of 3,000 pesos a month. Any senior citizen who does not have an income of 3000 pesos every month is entitlted to it. What a great help that would be for our most vulnerable members of our society.
May 18th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
[...] Vox Populi: A senior citizen’s modest proposal [...]