Illegal 20% discount!

Illegal use of senior citizen cards in the Philippines
March 16, 2011
By Jan
http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/illegal-use-of-senior-citizen-cards-in-the-philippines


Although many of us (expats in the Philippines) are over 60 years of age, we are not seen as Senior Citizens for the Filipine law.
The Senior citizen card in the Philippines is not meant for senior citizens of foreign countries in the Philippines even when some Filipino government officials don’t understand their own laws regarding it. Unfortunately, many expats don’t care to read or, maybe, are just incapable of understanding the restrictions in the law for some curious and selfish reasons.
As Expats in the Philippines, we are visitors weather we are tourist or permanent residence or under SSRV: we have no right by taking away the benefits that belong to the Filipino Citizens.
To clarify, Section 2 of Republic Act 9257 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003) defines that:
Senior citizen or elderly shall mean any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old;
The above is very clear and the operative word is Citizen. A foreigner may be a permanent resident but not necessarily a Philippine citizen. A non-Philippine citizen, therefore, cannot legally acquire a Philippine senior citizen card.Business establishments are well within their rights to respectfully ask for proof of Filipino citizenship.
Rule III, Article 5, Section 5.5 of RA 9257 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) states that:
5.5 IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT refers to any document or proof of being a senior citizen which shall be used for the availment of benefits and privileges under the law, such as the following:
Identification card issued by the City or Municipal Mayor/Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) or of the barangay captain of the place where the senior citizen or the elderly resides
The passport of the elderly person or senior citizen concerned
Other documents that establish the senior citizen or elderly person is a citizen of the Republic and who is at least sixty (60) years of age
It may be worth mentioning also the great risks facing offenders. Section 10 (Penalties) of the same act states that:

If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after the service of the sentence [six months or more imprisonment] without further deportation proceedings.

Filipino Senior Citizen Discount Benefits. If you are a foreigner and are using this benefit then BEWARE.When in a supermarket or other store and even in some government offices like LTO, it is allowed to use the senior citizens lane, but do not try to get the discount Filipino Senior Citizens are getting.

Also read http://www.humanrights.gov.ph/docs/RA9257.pdf

 

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/271335/fullsize/smiley-sh*t-hits-the-fan.gif

 

You are seen as seniors, but unless you have citizenship you are not a CITIZEN! This is one of very few programs to help the elderly here. Unlike the western world, many businesses here run on very small profit margins, some as low as 10%. The businesses that are forced by law to give 20% discount to seniors have to make up for that by charging more to the masses, which boils down the the average working Filipino earning P200/day or less.

As a foreigner, would you really expect the average working Filipino to support your 20% discount?

Think about it. I would be ashamed to ask for it.

Larry

 

I never really thought much about it, but Yes Larry I see your point and couldn't agree more.
Ron

 

The Difference!

You know larry! This is basically, the main difference between Azon and I, She will (as a Pinay) ask for a discount on anything she can, Unless it is a major thing, I as a foreigner, KNOW it is a lot cheaper than I would pay in Europe. So just cough up.


Jack P.

 

I doubt the senior discount is the cause of low wages in PI. Business owners would still pay little because there are so many unemployed..

 

I actually enjoy a good bargain session with some vendors and many people enjoy watching me in action. I make it fun for the vendor and me, in the end, it is of course their choice to make or break the deal. In any case we both had some fun.

As far as the Senior Citizen discount where the vendor is required to give a discount weather the profit is there or not, I wouldn't even think of trying.

That being said, the penalty seems a bit harsh.
Ron

 

There is a big difference between bargaining for a discount, and effectively forcing someone to give you one, based on a welfare like system designed to help this country's elderly.

I too try to bargain in many instances, but would not dream of forcing a 20% discount from a business based on this program.

Larry

 

Foreigners with Discount cards.

Last week visiting Coco Amigos....3 foreigners paying their bill with cash and I observed a little white card given to waitress.The waitress came back and asked them to sign the bill. I later asked the waitress why they had to sign after paying with cash, and I was told that they had used their Senior Citizen Discount Card.

To me totally unacceptable......it is shameful and makes the good foreigner look really bad here in Dumaguete.

20% on a beer bill for P100....P20 saved with the risk of deportation...NOT TO SMART! No tip for the waitress.

 

Illegal?

Surely, If it is Illegal, to use one of these cards, it is Illegal to obtain one. With the penalties as high as stated, I would think there would be recourse on the issuer. Are there any thoughts, on where foreingers are getting them from?


Jack P.