The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday it will craft a measure to ensure that vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), are still able to avail of their discount privileges even in online transactions.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, in a virtual briefing, said the agency has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry to craft a policy that will check the rules for online purchasing of senior citizens and PWDs.

“Ito ay para masigurado na hindi maaabuso ang mga pribiliheyo para sa bulnerableng sektor ng lipunan (This is to make sure that the privileges enjoyed by the vulnerable sector will not be abused [overlooked]),” he added.

Under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, senior citizens are entitled to a 20-percent discount and are exempted from the value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services from all establishments.

Republic Act 10754 or An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWD, meanwhile, provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in the mainstream of society by granting them at least a 20-percent discount and exemption from the VAT on the sale of certain goods and services identified.

This also applies to transportation, recreation centers, and medical services.

“Ito ay patunay na isinaalang-alang ng DSWD ang karapatan ng bulnerableng sektor ng lipunan at patuloy itong nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga opisina at iba pang mga implementing agencies para masiguro na maipapatupad ang iba pang batas na ito (This shows that DSWD looks over the welfare of the vulnerable sector of our community. We continue to engage with other offices and implementing agencies to make sure that these laws are being implemented),” he added. (PNA)