By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY - To avoid any inconveniences when availing of the 20
percent discount from pharmacies, senior citizens are advised to bring with
them the purchase booklet with their OSCA identification card and the doctor’s
prescription, or, if they are incapacitated and cannot personally purchase
medicines, an authorization letter for their representative.
In an
interview, Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) center head Nelinda Saipudin
reiterated that pharmacies and drugstores are mandated by law to comply with
the discount, however, senior citizens should be prepared with the necessary
documents required of them.
“The
discount is for senior citizens only, but sometimes, other persons may take
advantage of this to buy medicine not necessarily intended for the elderly
using the OSCA ID,” said Ms. Saipudin.
She
furthered that the law also provides for a five percent discount on basic
commodities such as, but not limited to rice, corn, bread, fish, meat; and
prime commodities like fruits, dairy products, noodles, onion, garlic and
others. The complete list of items is stipulated in the new Senior Citizens’
Purchase Slip, which the OSCA will release soon. Meanwhile, the purchase should
not exceed P1,300 in a week.
However,
Ms. Saipudin clarified that only stores and supermarkets with a capitalization
of over P100,000 are mandated to comply with the five percent discount.
Sari-sari stores, food courts, and flea markets are excluded.
In
addition, the OSCA head said that she had already spoke with retailers and
pharmacies in the city to honor only commodity purchase slips with an OSCA
stamp, which can be secured at their office. Also, for those senior citizens
who have already filled up their old medicine purchase booklet, they may simply
get their doctor’s prescription stamped at the OSCA for them to be honored with
the discount in pharmacies and drugstores.
“We have
to take these necessary measures to prevent non-senior citizens from taking
advantage and abusing the discounts,” she said.
However,
in the event when pharmacies and business establishments still do not grant the
discount in spite of having all the necessary documents, Ms. Saipudin invited
the senior citizens to bring their complaints at the OSCA.
Earlier
this month, Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle G. Climaco-Salazar issued an
executive order mandating all pharmacies and drugstores to seriously comply
with the provisions of the law with regard to granting the discount. The OSCA,
PWD Affairs office, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office are
tasked to strictly monitor pharmacies, drugstores and other business
establishments in the city.
Republic
Act 9994 provides that establishments that do not comply with the discount may
be imprisoned for not less than two years with a fine not less than P50,000 for
the first violation. (PIA9)