DTI approval needed for promos to replace senior citizen discount

MANILA—Senior citizens rights advocate and lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Thursday clarified that establishments cannot simply replace the mandatory 20-percent senior citizen discount with regular promotional prices without approval from the Department of Trade and Industry.

Macalintal, a prominent figure in senior citizens advocacy, stressed that any promotional offering intended to substitute the senior discount must first receive DTI authorization. He made the statement while calling for a clarification of a recent Supreme Court ruling that has created uncertainty among both businesses and senior citizens regarding discount entitlements.

The 20-percent discount for senior citizens is mandated under Philippine law as a social benefit. Macalintal's position underscores the need for a clear regulatory framework to protect senior citizens from losing their statutory benefits while allowing businesses operational flexibility through approved promotional schemes.

The issue has gained attention as retailers and service providers seek guidance on how to comply with discount requirements while managing their commercial interests. Macalintal's statement indicates that the DTI plays a crucial gatekeeping role in determining which alternative arrangements are permissible under existing regulations.