ANGARA LAUDS ADDITIONAL UTILITY DISCOUNT FOR ELDERLY

Senator Edgardo J. Angara lauded the upcoming mandate to provide the country's senior citizens with utility discounts and subsidies. This move was a result of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act passed earlier this year.

This discount grants discounts to all qualified senior citizens for the electricity they consume from distribution companies and electric cooperatives, subsidized by the non-senior citizen end-users. The Expanded Senior Citizens act also penalizes electricity providers who refuse to give such discounts.

"It's very heartening to see that our senior citizens are getting more privileges from our government. It's a testament to our commitment as lawmakers to provide a better life for them," said Angara, who took part in the preparation of this act.

Senior citizens are also exempted from the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) by the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, in addition to the initial 20 percent discount on basic goods and services.

Angara also authored the original Senior Citizens Act, which paved the way for giving discounts and privileges for the elderly--Filipinos aged 60 and above. He is also behind the Child Nutrition Act and the observance of the National Women's Day.

"As leaders, we should always consider the disadvantaged sectors, such as the elderly, women and children. I have made it my goal as a lawmaker to support and look after these groups. Knowing that the laws we made for them are working, that's the kind of good news we all want to hear," said Angara.