Congress has a special gift for “senior citizens” this Christmas —exemption from the 12-percent value-added tax on their purchase of goods and services.
The Senate, before adjourning last week, unanimously approved Senate Bill 7342 that seeks to expand the benefits to senior citizens and “maximize their contributions to nation building.”
Senator Pia Cayetano, chairman of the committee on social justice, welfare and rural development, said the bill also mandates the Health Department to provide indigent senior citizens with free vaccination against influenza and death benefit assistance of P2,000 through the Social Welfare Department.
Cayetano said the Senate considered two options in upgrading the benefits for senior citizens. The first was increasing the current discount for senior citizens from the present 20 to 30 percent for the payment of goods and services. The second was exemption from the VAT. In the end, the latter was chosen, she said.
A similar measure has been passed by the House of Representatives. A bicameral conference committee will convene upon the resumption of the regular session next month to craft a common version of the measure. –Fel V. Maragay, Manila Standard Today
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
27 Jun – Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Daily Observances:
June 6: Migrant Workers Day
June 19: Filipino Youth Day
June 25: Day of the Filipino Seafarer
