The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged on Wednesday, July 27, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to utilize their 5% special discount for Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPC).
The agency made the call following the release of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 01, series of 2022, entitled “Guidelines on the Provision of the Mandatory Statutory Benefits and Privileges of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities on their Purchases through Online (e-commerce) and Phone Call/SMS”.
The discount is distinct from the 20% regular discount that covers different goods and services.
“These benefits and privileges under the said Circular, including the 5% discount on BNPC purchases, are meant to be utilized especially the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities all year round, and not only amidst the pandemic,” said DTI undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo.
Under the 5% discount, senior citizens and PWDs have a maximum purchase amount of P1,300.00 a week for both online and offline transactions, without carryover of the unused amount.
The amount shall be spent for the personal and exclusive consumption of the senior citizen and the PWD, and must be spent on at least four kinds of items of BNPCs.
To receive the discount, one must declare to the merchant before placing orders that he or she is a senior citizen or a PWD, and submit supporting documents such as a scanned copy or screenshot of ID, as well as the front and last pages of the purchase booklet.
The same proof of discount entitlement should be presented upon the delivery of goods and orders, if the purchase was made online or through a phone text or call.
The DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG), through its Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) issues the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) list for BNPCs.
Under its jurisdiction, the DTI monitors the price and supply of Basic Necessities such as canned sardines and other marine products; processed milk; coffee; salt; laundry soap; detergent; candles; bread; and salt.
The DTI also monitors the price and supply of prime commodities such as flour; canned pork, beef, and poultry meat; noodles; vinegar; soy sauce; patis; toilet soap; paper, school supplies; cement, clinker, GI sheets; hollow blocks, construction nails; batteries, electrical supplies, light bulbs; steel wire; bottled water; and batteries.
