New laws are not needed to address most complaints on discounts for seniors and PWDs, according to ranking members of the House of Representatives.
Senior Citizen Party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordanes pointed out that the charter of the PhilSys ID is Republic Act 11055.
“It has provisions in its Section 8 for ‘special arrangements’ for the registration of seniors, PWDs, minors, indigenous peoples, persons in institutional households, persons in remote areas, and foundlings,” Ordanes pointed out.
The veteran legislator is the chairman of the House committee on senior citizens.
For her part, House deputy minority leader Representative Bernadette Herrera said the BIR, DTI, DSWD, DSWD, LTFRB, and other agencies can resolve many of the issues and complaints administratively through a joint memorandum circular or order.
“I appeal to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr, to direct these agencies to resolve the administrative issues among themselves. If a joint inter-agency IRR will not suffice, then perhaps the President himself may have to issue an executive order,” Herrera stressed.
“There is still some wiggle room or flexibility built into the laws on PWDs, solo parents, and senior citizens which the implementing agencies can use to craft the IRR adjustments needed.”
The Bagong Henerasyon Party-list legislator said “there is still some wiggle room or flexibility built into the laws on PWDs, solo parents, and senior citizens which the implementing agencies can use to craft the IRR adjustments needed.”
“But there were some complaints and issues raised that need amendments to current laws. For example, amendments are needed to replace all or some of the limits DTI has placed on purchase discounts. Laws that govern point-of-sale transactions, third-party bookings, and online purchases may need some tweaking for situations IRRs cannot address,” the seasoned lawmaker noted.
“Requiring online portals and apps to be user-friendly to PWDs, seniors, and solo parents, as well as students, may have to be made more explicit and clear in amendments to current laws. It seems some establishments and merchants may have become experts at spotting loopholes in the laws and regulations,” she added.
ONLY ONE ID IS NEEDED
Ordanes called upon the Philippine Statistics Authority and other Philippine National ID System implementors to motu proprio act upon the many appeals for a secure and verifiable ID, database, and QR codes for seniors and PWDs.
There is a PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council established in RA 11055. This is enough for interagency actions needed.
He said the PhilSys ID special arrangements “can include software adjustments, system hardware upgrades, data warehousing, and most importantly, database identification of seniors, PWDS, and others for whom “special arrangements” are required in RA 11055.”
“With the PhilSys ID system, business establishments, including those online and with online point-of-sale (POS) transaction portals, and third-party bookings, need only scan the ID QR codes or ask for the PSN ID numbers to check the identity of people presenting the PhilSys ID for claiming the discounts,” Ordanes said.
“The PhilSys ID is all we need, but it has to be adjusted.”
“This way is much better than having as many special IDs as there are cities and towns in the country. That would be highly inefficient. The PhilSys ID is all we need, but it has to be adjusted. Using the PhilSys ID will make the purchase booklets of seniors and PWDs unnecessary and obsolete,” he added.
For funds needed to make the PhilSys ID adjustments and special arrangements happen, Ordanes said PSA can include the needed budget in their request for fiscal year 2025.
“If PSA wants to fast-track these adjustments and special arrangements, they can ask DBM for what they need from the Unprogrammed Funds,” he concluded.
