MANILA, Philippines—Senior citizens’ rights advocate Romulo Macalintal is asking Health Secretary Francisco Duque to immediately issue an order directing establishments and drug stores to extend its discounts to the elderly for the purchase of vitamins and dietary supplements. Macalintal wrote a letter to Duque Friday wherein he requested the Department of Health chief to release an order that would extend the 20 percent discount and slash the 12 percent value-added tax when senior citizens purchase vitamins and supplements during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). ADVERTISEMENTHe argued that the said discount for “vitamins and mineral supplement” is allowed under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 994, or the 202 Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. If the DOH will not grant the request immediately, Macalintal recommends that Duque refer the measure to President Rodrigo Duterte as the Chief Executive’s alter ego in the health sector.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 26, 2020 12:00 UTC