Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Jose F. Layon
Member, Sangguniang Panlalawigan

The Honorable members of this body, ladies and gentlemen, good morning! Just recently, an information reached to this humble representation regarding the non-compliance of some drugstores here in the Municipality of Catarman with the provision of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, on the 20% discount to senior citizens on the purchase of medicines. This defiance brought me worries and apprehensions. Just last year, my niece, Catarman Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Celine Danielle Layon Miral, opened this issue before the Honorable Sangguniang Bayan of Catarman. However, it is but unfortunate that this kind of insolence has recurred. Section 4 of R.A. No. 9994 expressly provides, that, The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following: (a) the grant of 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 senior citizens: (I) on the purchase of medicines, including the purchase of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines and such other essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment to be determined by the Department of Health (DOH). This is further reiterated by the Implementing Rules of R.A. No. 9994 and strengthened by DOH Administrative Order No. 2012-0007 or the Guidelines on the grant of 20% discount to senior citizens on health related goods and services and for other purposes.. But, despite the clearness or transparency of R.A. No. 9994 and its related rules and regulations, a number of drugstores here in Catarman and most probably drugstores in other municipalities still flout and disregard the same.

Early this week, I was personally informed that one drugstore here in Catarman grants 20% discount to senior citizens on the purchase of medicines but on a limited purchase. I was alarmed by this information. Furious but concerned, I decided to gather information from people who had the same experiences. To my disbelief, some informed me that there are drugstores here in Catarman and in other municipalities that do not grant the 20% discount at all. R.A. No. 9994 is a form of sustenance of our senior citizens. With this law, the government is able to provide aid and comfort to them. Moreover, R.A. No. 9994 ensures that our senior citizens are being endowed with benefits that are commensurate to their needs. But, with the non-adherence by some drugstores here in Catarman to the mandate of this law, this sustenance by our senior citizens will surely fall in futility. Maaram man kita nga kadam-an san mga senior citizens didi sa ato bungto ug sa ato probinsiya waray na mga trabaho. Maswerte an pipira nga may mga pension ug allowance tikang sa kanra tagsa-tagsa nga mga pamilya. Pero pipira la ini sira. An kadam-an waray na haros ipalit bugas, nano pa daw la kun bulong. Sanglit, dako gud nga bulig ini nga diskwento sa mga bulong nga ginhatag san R.A. No. 9994. Pero anhon ta man ini kun diri man ta ginsusunod sa iba nga mga farmacia o botika didi sa ato probinsya? This predicament concerns all of us. We all grow old. Nobody can escape from this reality. As we reach the point of being an elderly, our needs tilt more on our healthiness and well-being. Our bodys demand for medical assistance increases and becomes apparent. For these reasons, the role of drugstores or any similar establishments in our society becomes vital considering the existence of R.A. No. 9994. With this, as public servants, let us take an imperative step to rectify this waywardness. Ayaw ta pagpabay-i nga mabalewara ini nga balaud. Ayaw kit pagtugot nga mawara an paglaom san ato mga edaran, kaarugan o senior citizens para sin maupay ug komportable nga kamutangan san ira mga kinabuhi. Thank you very much!