Is There a Viable Senior Citizen Discount Program in the Philippines?
You bet. Among other benefits it covers: • Purchase of medicines, including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines and other essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment; and • Actual fare for land travel in public utility jeepneys, taxis, Asian utility vehicles and shuttle services. Moreover, additional incentives and benefits are also granted to senior citizens, as follows: • Free vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal disease for indigent senior citizens; • Benefit assistance to the nearest kin of a deceased indigent senior citizen worth P2,000. • Five percent (5%) discount on water and electric bills registered in the name of the senior citizen, provided that consumption is below 100 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 30 cubic meters of water a month; as well as • Additional government assistance, i.e., social pension/monthly stipend of P500, mandatory Philhealth coverage, and social safety assistance (food, medicines and financial assistance).
