A READER from Bohol has recently sent me an e-mail query asking what she could do if an establishment refuses to grant her the senior citizen discount mandated under the Expanded Senior Citizen Law.
The aggrieved party may write a letter-complaint to the Department of Trade and Industry copy furnish other relevant government agencies, which may include the Department of Transportation, Department of Health, or the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Said party may also opt to file a letter-complaint with the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), which is established in all cities and municipalities and is headed by a senior citizen who is be appointed by the mayor for a term of three years without reappointment.
The head of the OSCA is appointed to serve the interest of senior citizens and is assisted by the City Social Welfare and Development officer or by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, in coordination with the Social Welfare and Development Office. It is he Office of the Mayor that exercises supervision over the OSCA relative to their plans, activities and programs for senior citizens. The OSCA is also tasked to work together and establish linkages with accredited NGOs Pos and the barangays in their respective areas.
Another option is to file a criminal case against the establishment/owner of establishment/and doctor. The Expanded Senior Citizen Law in fact has the following provision:
“Any person who violates any provision of the Act shall suffer the following penalties: (a) For the first violation, imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than six years and a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000); (b) for any subsequent violation, imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than six years and a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) but not exceeding two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000); and (c) any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six months and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not more than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000).”
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You may contact the author at rester.nonato@yahoo.com.