MANILA, Philippines — Senior citizens are no longer required to present the purchase booklet to avail themselves of 20-percent discount when buying medicinegojackpot, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said yesterday.

Through Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2024-0017, Herbosa allowed the removal of such a requirement provided for under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

“I am also a senior citizen. I know it is hard to always bring a purchase booklet with you. Seniors need the discount on their medicines, and we must make it easy for them to get that,” he said.

Herbosa called his directive a “gift of convenience and more affordable medicines to all of our senior citizens ... on behalf of President Marcos.”

Under the AO, senior citizens no longer need to present a purchase booklet to drugstore, along with valid identification and a doctor’s prescription, in order to get a 20 percent discount.

Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, chairman of the committee on senior citizens in the House of Representatives, lauded Herbosa’s initiative.

“Thank you very much for the action, DOH, on behalf of all senior citizens nationwide,” said Ordanes, a member of the House’s committee on health.

“We also hope that this policy included our persons with disability, who also have discount booklets themselves. They also buy medicines and medical devices. Unnecessary the booklet is. Finally, the DOH is enlightened on this,” he said.

“It is very good of them that they heeded House Resolution 2031, which was approved as Resolution 253, and listened to our joint hearings of the House committees on senior citizens, ways and means and PWDs,” he added.

House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo had pushed for the removal of the booklet system for senior citizens, saying the requirement is “useless” and an “insult” to the elderly.

But some business groups, such as the Philippine Consumer Centric Traders Association, said the booklet system is needed as a way to monitor purchases.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday expressed concern over the proliferation of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

In a statement, the CHR said the proliferation of fake PWD IDs is a serious violation of Republic Act 10754, which amended the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons that provided PWDs with 20 percent discount and exemption from value-added tax on certain goods and services.

“Fraudulent practices of this nature undermine the integrity of these privileges and trivialize the legitimate struggles and daily challenges faced by persons with disabilities. These benefits are essential to improving their quality of life and fostering inclusivity in society,” the commission said.

The CHR also welcomed efforts of government agencies to address the issue, including possibly requiring a unified ID system by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In the initial six months of video conferencing—from May to October 2020—more than 100,000 hearings were conducted, with an average success rate of 88%, according to Marquez. As the courts adapted to the system, the success rate eventually climbed to 95%.

“This system is intended to enhance transparency and accountability through real-time ID verification, ensuring that benefits reach only those who genuinely qualify,” it said.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue also announced a nationwide crackdown on the sale and use of fake PWD IDs as a measure to prevent revenue losses due to fraudulent tax evasion schemes.

“We commend and support these initiatives. They are crucial in safeguarding the benefits and privileges accorded to persons with disabilities while ensuring that resources are allocated to those who genuinely need them,” the CHR said.

“We call on all sectors of societygojackpot, including businesses, organizations and the general public, to actively combat fraudulent activities. Report any instances of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities or related schemes to the National Council on Disability Affairs at [email protected], the Persons with Disability Affairs Office or appropriate law enforcement agencies,” it added. — Janvic Mateo, Delon Porcalla