ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta - @Magtanong Kay Attorney | July 10, 2020
Dear Chief Acosta,
Ako ay senior citizen at nabigyan ako ng gift certificate mula sa mga pribadong mamamayan na nag-outreach sa aming lugar. Sabi nila, maaari ko itong ipambili ng mga gamot mula sa isang botika sa amin kahit kailan ko naisin sapagkat hindi naman ito nae-expire. Kung sakali ba na bumili ako gamit ang nasabing gift certificate, mabibigyan pa rin ba ako ng discount sa maintenance ko na gamot? – Alice
Dear Alice,
Batay sa Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9994, o mas kilala bilang “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” ang mga tulad ninyong senior citizens ay binibigyan ng benepisyo na dalawampung porsiyentong (20%) diskuwento at exemption mula sa value-added tax para sa pagbili ng mga gamot at iba pang medical supplies. Ito ay partikular na nakasaad sa Seksiyon 4 ng R. A. No. 9994:
“Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003", is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. –
The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following:
“(a) the grant of twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value -added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the sale of the following goods and services from all establishments, for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the senior citizen:
"(1) on the purchase of medicines, including the purchase of influenza and pnuemococcal vaccines, and such other essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment to be determined by the Department of Health (DOH).
x x x”Kaugnay nito, kinakailangan kayong bigyan ng kaukulang diskuwento mula sa botika na inyong pagbibilhan kung ang gamot na inyong bibilhin ay para sa inyong sariling konsumo. Mahalaga lamang na makapagpresenta kayo ng kaukulang reseta at ang inyong senior citizen’s ID card at booklet.
Kaugnay naman sa paggamit ninyo ng gift certificate, maaari itong magamit sa establisimyento na nagbigay ng naturang gift certificate o sa merchant partner ng issuer nito at mabibigyan pa rin kayo ng kaukulang diskuwento sapagkat nakasaad sa R.A. No. 10962 o ang “Gift Check Act of 2017” na:
“SEC. 8. Applicability to Promotional Programs, Warranties, Return Policies, and Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Discounts. – Promotional sales activities, loyalty programs, return policies for cash purchases, and discounts for senior citizens and persons with disability as provided for under relevant laws and rules and regulations, shall apply likewise to purchases of goods and services that are paid for with gift checks.”Sana ay nabigyan namin ng linaw ang inyong katanungan. Ang payo na aming ibinigay ay base lamang sa impormasyong inyong inilahad at maaaring magbago kung mababawasan o madaragdagan ang mga detalye ng inyong salaysay.