WHEREAS, Republic Act (R.A.) 9257 also known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003" was signed into law on February 26, 2004 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amending R.A. 7432 and granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens;

WHEREAS, Section 4, paragraph (l) or R.A. 7432 as amended by Section 2 of R.A. 9257 provides that "to the extent possible, the government may grant special discounts in special programs for senior citizens on purchase of basic commodities, subject to the guidelines to be issued for the purpose by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA)";

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in accordance with Section 4, paragraph (l) of R.A. 7432 as amended by Section 2 of R.A. 9257 also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, do hereby issue this Order providing special discounts to senior citizens on the purchase of basic necessities or prime agricultural commodities under DA jurisdiction:

SECTION 1. Scope and Coverage - This Order shall apply to senior citizens and retailers as defined under Section 2 hereof.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Order, these terms are defined as follows:

a. "Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities" are as follows:

1. Rice (except rice sold and retailed by the National Food Authority);
2. Food grade corn and corn grits;
3. Fresh fish and other marine products;
4. Fresh chicken eggs;
5. Fresh pork, beef, and poultry meat;
6. Fresh vegetables including root crops;
7. Fresh fruits; and
8. Onion and garlic.

b. "OSCA" shall refer to the Office for Senior Citizen Affairs established in cities and municipalities under the Office of the Mayor headed by a senior citizen;

c. "Retailer" shall mean any person engaged in the business of selling consumer products directly to consumers, which shall include among others, supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience and mini-convenience stores and shops, but excluding sari-sari store, public and private wet markets, "talipapa" and cooperative stores;

d. "Senior Citizen or Elderly" shall refer to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old.

SECTION 3. Discount - Every senior citizen shall enjoy a special discount of Five Percent (5%) of the regular retail price of basic necessities and prime commodities listed under Section 2 (a) of this Order. The total amount of said purchase shall not exceed the amount of Six Hundred Fifty Pesos (P650.00) per calendar week without carry over of the unused amount. Provided, that said amount shall be spent on at least four (4 ) kinds of items listed under Section 2 (a) of this Order.

SECTION 4. Valid Identification Documents - To avail of the discount, a senior citizen must present his/her identification card issued by the OSCA of the city-municipality where he/she resides.

In the event that the retailer has reasonable doubt as to the identity of a senior citizen availing of such special discount, the retailer may request the senior citizen to present any other government issued identification document, whether national or local

SECTION 5. Purchase Booklet - A purchase booklet shall be presented to the retailer every time a purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities is made. The purchase booklet shall be distributed by the OSCA. It shall contain the name of the senior citizen, the list of basic necessities and prime commodities under Section 2 (a) of this Order, the retailer name and address, date of purchase and the amount.

SECTION 6. Special Lane - Whenever practicable, retailers shall provide a special express lane for senior citizens; in the absence thereof, priority shall be given to them.

SECTION 7. Authorized Representative - A senior citizen who cannot personally purchase basic necessities and prime commodities under Section 2 (a) of this Order may, by written authority, appoint a representative to transact with the retailer on his/her behalf. The authorized representative shall be required to present a valid government issued identification document together with the OSCA-issued identification document of the concerned senior citizen and an authorization letter.

SECTION 8. Penal and Administrative Sanctions - Penal and administrative sanctions are those which are provided under R.A. 9257.

SECTION 9. Effectivity - This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 12 Dec. 2005

(SGD.) DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN
Secretary