BAGUIO CITY – City officials recently reiterated to all pharmacies and groceries in the city to make it optional or forego the use of purchase booklets by senior citizens in the availment of their medicines and goods.
Under Resolution No. 394, series of 2024, local legislators stated that based on feedback from concerned sectors, the purchase booklet is sometimes forgotten by the senior citizens causing delays and even deterring them from availing of medicines and goods due to advance age or in times of emergencies.
Earlier, the council adopted several resolutions relative to the granting of senior citizens discounts and the use of the purchase booklets when availing medicines and goods; Resolution No. 430, series of 2023 that reminding all drug stores in the city to comply with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9994 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 on the grant of senior citizens discount; Resolution No. 490, series of 2023 tht requested Rep. Marquez O. Go, Lone District of Baguio City, to enact the necessary amendments of the implementing rules and regulations of RA 9994 and Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2010-0032 issued on October 9, 2010 on the sale of medicines to senior citizens, particularly on the mandatory use of the purchase booklets to making it optional when availing medicines and goods and Resolution 651, series of 2023 that strongly urged private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient clinics, pharmacists, hotels and similar lodging houses, restaurants, recreation centers, theaters/cinema houses, public utility vehicles and all other establishments to observe strict compliance of the mandatory grant of 20 percent discount to senior citizens as mandated under RA 9994.
The body pointed that the city is not only branded as the education center of the north but also a senior citizen-friendly city as reflected in its values and standards, and also given the title of City of Character.
It added that the implementing rules and regulations of RA 9994 mandates the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to issue booklets to be presented in every purchase of medicines and goods.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to all pharmacies and groceries in the city for their information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See