WHEREAS, the Congress of the Philippines passed R.A. 7432, entitled "An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building", and approved by President Corazon C. Aquino on 23 April 1992;

WHEREAS, the implementing Rules and Regulations thereof have been promulgated by the Cabinet, published, and now effective;

WHEREAS, under the implementing Rules and Regulations, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is directed to issue corresponding circulars or directives to ensure compliance therewith;

NOW, THEREFORE, by authority of the provisions of RA 7432 and its implementing Rules and Regulations, the MARINA hereby prescribes the necessary guidelines and directs all Maritime entities concerned to observe strictly the following, to wit:

I
Grant of Benefits to Senior Citizens 
1.         Every senior citizen who is a passenger of any public water transportation service as the term is understood under the Public Service Act, as amended, shall be entitled to a discount in the amount of not less than twenty percent (20%) of the fare charge or authorized, regardless of the type of accommodation (i.e., first class, second class, third class) being sought.

2.         A senior citizen on board any public water transportation service shall also be entitled to discount of not less than twenty percent (20%) of the tag price on purchases of meals or items from the restaurant on board the vessel regardless of whether the same is operated by a concessionaire or the carrier; provided that a senior citizen's entitlement under this provision shall be limited to that quantity to be consumed by him/her per meal.

3.         A senior citizen shall also be entitled to a similar discount of twenty percent (20%) in the purchase of medicines prescribed on board.

II
Those Entitled to the Aforementioned Benefits
In determining citizens who are entitled to the foregoing benefits, all interisland water transport operators shall be guided by the following:

1.         As to proof of age (at least 60 years old): unless his/her physical appearance shows that such person claiming to be a senior citizen shall be asked to produce proof of his/her age by presentation of the Official Identification Card issued by the Office for Senior Citizens (OSCA) of the Local Government Unit(s) pursuant to the guidelines on the issuance of the uniform National ID card for Senior Citizens.

2.         As to proof of annual income (P60,000 and below):

a.         OSCA ID

III
Sanctions
Violations of items 1, 2, 3, Paragraph I above shall be punishable with a fine of not less than P1,000.00; PROVIDED, that in the case of violation of Paragraph I aforementioned, the senior citizen has shown documents/papers required under Paragraph II.  Repeated violations of this Circular shall be a cause for the suspension/revocation/cancellation of the Certificate of Public Convenience/Provisional Authority/Special Permit/any authority to operate, as the case may be.

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication once in a newspaper of general circulations.

Adopted: 27 Sept. 1993

(Sgd.) PACIENCIO M. BALBON, JR.
Administrator