One of the privileges of senior citizens is the discount on transportation and the purchase of various products.  

However, 69-year-old Ike sometimes cannot enjoy this benefit.  

He often forgets his senior citizen booklet and has lost it several times.  

“When you go to Baguio to buy something, you don’t always have it on hand. I don’t like carrying a bag, so I can’t use it,” said Ike Picpican, a senior citizen.

Although he can get a discount using his senior citizen ID, the problem is, “When I enter department stores and apply for discounts, I still need the purchase booklet.”  

The purchase booklet is mandated under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.  

It serves as a record of transactions for senior citizens, especially for purchasing medications.  

However, in February of this year, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian expressed his support for lawmakers proposing the removal of the purchase booklet.  

One of the authors of this proposal is the current Congressman of Baguio City, Mark Go.  

According to Congressman Mark Go, Lone District Representative – Baguio City, “Once this is signed by the speaker within the next few days, it will be sent to the Department of Health so that the Secretary of Health will issue a directive to all pharmaceutical companies and drugstores that when a senior citizen makes a purchase, the purchase booklet will no longer be required.”  

Seven months after it was discussed in Congress, this proposal was approved on September 25.  

Under House Resolution 2031, it urges the Department of Health (DOH) to immediately remove the purchase slip booklet as a requirement for purchasing medications for senior citizens.  

Through this, senior citizens can more easily benefit from the 20% discount on medications.  

“All they need is their senior citizen ID or another ID showing their age and their medical prescription,” Go mentioned.

With the passage of this resolution, the DOH has been directed to review and amend the administrative orders related to discounts for senior citizens and remove the requirement for a purchase booklet.  

**VANESSA BUGTONG