BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring all restaurants in the city to grant 20 percent discount every first Sunday of the month to registered solo parents in the different parts of the city.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated that a 20 percent discount on the total bill of the solo parents dinning together with his or her registered children shall be granted by restaurants to the solo parents equipped with a valid solo parent identification card issued by the City Social Welfare and Development Office every first Sunday of each month.
The ordinance added that in no case shall the provisions of the measure apply to bills exceeding P2,000 for single or accumulated receipts made within the same establishment on the same day.
In relation to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents Welfare Act, single parents who belong to the marginalized sector who suffer economic difficulties are entitled to discounts provided they are qualified to receive such benefits under the same law.
To strike a balance between profitability and social responsibility, Yangot claimed that establishments frequented by families, solo parents included, are required to grant a 20 percent discount in the total bill of a solo parents and his or her children in covered establishments in the city.
The ordinance pointed out solo parents have the sole responsibility of rearing their children and double hardship saddles solo or single parents as they perform their parental duties single-handedly.
The proposed local legislative measure stated that to give incentives to the participating restaurants or establishments, discount to registered solo parents shall be allowed as tax deduction in the payment of their annual business tax with the local government.
Under existing law, rules and regulations, restaurants shall refer to food establishments located in the territorial jurisdiction of the city which includes but not limited to cafes, cafeterias, ice cream or refreshment parlors, carinderias, fastfood centers, snack centers and similar establishments operating and issuing official receipts to customers.
The proposed 20 percent discount to solo parents in the city will be in addition to the existing 20 percent being provided by establishments to senior citizens and persons with disabilities availing of the services of the said businesses.
The ordinance will be subjected to the required public hearing to solicit the suggestions and recommendations of stakeholders on improving the provisions of the local legislative measure and how to intensify its implementation so that the identified sectors will benefit from its implementation once the same will be formally enacted into an ordinance.
The ordinance was referred by the local legislators to the committee for study and recommendation on whether or not the same will be subjected to second and third readings.
By Dexter A. See
