Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez made this prediction shortly after a meeting with officials of the Department of Trade and Industry led by Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez.

Sanchez said the DTI is open to the request of the Lower House to increase the discounts granted to senior citizens and PWDs in purchasing grocery items.

Before the meeting, a joint committee of the Lower House agreed to seek the approval of the DTI and the Department of Agriculture to a proposal to adjust to P125 per week the amount of discounts for grocery purchases totaling PHP1,300.

The proposal was raised by National Commission of Senior Citizens Chairman Franklin Quijano during a hearing of the joint panel chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda.

Salceda said the panel agreed that there is urgency in implementing the increased discounts in view of the fact that prices of prime commodities have drastically increased over the years.

Salceda said the panel members agreed to file a bill that will adjust the discount rate to PHP125 per week or a total of PHP500 per month.

“Using food inflation rates, we determined that by now the total value of the discount should have been adjusted to around P126.31 per week. So, adjustment to P125 is more or less where we should be by now,” Salceda said.

In the meantime, Salceda said the Lower House will request the DTI and DA to issue administrative orders to adjust the discount rates to the level lawmakers propose.

Reacting to the DTI positive response to the Lower House request, Romualdez welcome the “imminent implementation” of increased discounts for senior citizens and PWDs.

“This initiative to provide additional discounts for senior citizens and PWDs demonstrates the commitment of President Marcos to promoting inclusivity and social justice,” stated Romualdez.