The Department of Trade and Industry is reminding stores, supermarkets and shops to give a Five Percent (5%) discount to Persons with Disabilities (PWD), as mandated by law.

This reminder is given as the DTI, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DoE) have signed a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 17-02 dated February 17, 2017 amending JAO No. 10 series of 2010 “Granting Special Discounts to Persons with Disabilities on Purchase of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities.” The Joint Administrative Order was issued with the enactment of Republic Act No. 10623 which defined products falling under the “basic necessities and prime commodities” category.

Under the said Order, products like fresh fruits, potable water in bottles and containers, noodles, household liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, vinegar, soy sauce, bath soap, construction materials like cement and hollow blocks, livestock and fishery feeds are included as basic necessities and prime commodities.

Business establishments are also reminded that under the JAO No. 17, the 5% discount for PWD is separate and distinct from the 20% discount provided under Republic Act 10754, “An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disabilities.

Nevertheless, beneficiaries are reminded that if the consumer is both a PWD and a Senior Citizen, he may only avail of the 5% additional discount from only one category. The amount of purchase should also not exceed Php 1,300 per person per week. The discount may be availed from retailers such as supermarkets, groceries, convenience and mini-convenience stores except stalls in food courts, food vendors and sari-stores with a capitalization of less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000).

The Joint Administrative Order also states that dual citizens falling under the PWD Category may also avail of the 5% special discount. The documents for availing of the discount are any of the identification documents from the local PWD Affairs Office or from the local Social Welfare Office, documents from the National Council on Disability Affairs or the passport of the PWD.