United Senior Citizens Partylist Representative Mila Aquino-Magsaysay has called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to tighten its regulations on sales and promotional permits, citing concerns that some businesses are using these authorizations to bypass the mandatory 20% senior citizen discount mandated by law.

Aquino-Magsaysay raised the issue on Tuesday (March 4) after her office received numerous complaints from senior citizens about restaurants refusing to honor their discount rights for items and services covered by DTI promotions.

"We have observed that many businesses, particularly restaurant chains, are being granted open-ended promotional permits. While DTI limits the promo period to three months, extensions are frequently approved, effectively allowing businesses to sidestep the objectives of Republic Act 9994," she said.

Republic Act 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, grants elderly Filipinos various benefits and privileges, including a 20% discount on goods and services and exemption from the 12% Expanded Value Added Tax.

According to Aquino-Magsaysay, some establishments outrightly deny senior citizens their discounts by claiming that their products and services are already priced lower due to ongoing promotions.

"This is a clear violation of RA 9994, which gives senior citizens the right to reject a promotional price and insist on their legally mandated discount," she explained.

The lawmaker urged the DTI to address these irregularities and ensure businesses comply with the law.

"The DTI must ensure that promotional permits are issued for a strictly limited period and are not exploited to circumvent RA 9994," she emphasized.