The Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office 3 (DTI-3) is urging retailers across Central Luzon to comply with Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 24-02, Series of 2024, which revised the guidelines on granting special discounts to senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs).

Under the revised rules, effective March 2024, qualified individuals are entitled to a 5% special discount on the regular retail price of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPCs), for purchases made either online or offline. This discount is applied without exemption from the value-added tax.

The DTI-3 clarifies the following key provisions:

• A maximum discount of Php125.00 may be availed each calendar week.
• To qualify, the maximum purchase amount that may be discounted must not exceed Php2,500.00 per week.
• The Php2,500.00 must cover at least four (4) different kinds of BNPCs listed under the JAO.
• Unused discounts or unspent portions of the purchase limit cannot be carried over to succeeding weeks.
• Double discounts are not allowed. If an item is already on a promotional offer, the more favorable of either the promo or the 5% special discount will apply.

DTI-3 Regional Director Edna D. Dizon emphasized the importance of implementing the new guidelines in all business establishments across the region.

“We remind all retailers in Central Luzon to fully comply with the revised rules to uphold the rights of our senior citizens and PWDs,” said Dizon. “Likewise, we call on our consumers to be informed and to use the discount only for their personal and exclusive use.”

Complaints for non-compliance may be reported to the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA), the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), or the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO). The public may also visit the nearest DTI office for guidance and assistance.

The special discount aims to promote inclusive access to essential goods while ensuring fairness in implementation. DTI-3 remains committed to protecting the welfare of consumers throughout the region. ♦

Date of Release: 02 May 2025

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