I have been reading a number of media reports on this topic. It really seems to be gathering a head of steam. In short, a change in the eligibility of the Senior Citizen Discount Card Scheme will (or lets say might) finally come to fruition. Useful links are:- It’s more fun in the Philippines for elderly foreign travelers. Foreigners to get same perks as local seniors DoT entices foreign senior travelers with discounts, visa-free stays Could be some good news on it's way
I did some further research about this and here's what I discovered. The current benefits for Senior Citizens at age 60 years and above comes under Republic Act 9994 27th July 2009 These benefits are anticipated to be available to foreign Senior Citizens It's obviously not possible to list all the details but the following list shows the major entitlements. A full 20% discount (and exemption from the VAT) on the sale of the following goods and services from all establishments:- - on the purchase of medicines - on the professional fees of attending physician(s) in all private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient clinics and home health care services. - on the professional fees of licensed professional health workers providing home health care services as endorsed by private hospitals or employed through home health care employment - on medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in all prIvate hospitals, medical facilitis, outpatient clinics, and home health care services. - in actual fare for land transportation travel in public utility buses (PUBs), public utility jeepneys (PUJs), taxis, Asian utility vehicles (AUVs),shuttle services and public railways, including Light Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rail Transit (MRT) , and Philippine National Railways (PNR); - in actual transportation fare for domestic air transport services and sea shipping vessels and the like, based on the actual fare and advanced booking - on the utilization of services in hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers - on admission fees charged by theaters,cinema houses and concert halls, circuses, carnivals,and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement - on funeral and burial services for the death of senior citizens - exemption from the payment of individual income taxes of senior citizens who are considered to be minimum wage earners in accordance with Republic Act No. 9504 - the grant of a minimum of 5% discount relative to the monthly utilization of water and electricity supplied by ublic utilities - free medical and dental serVIces, diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not limited to, x-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests, in all government facilities. - provision of express lanes for senior citizens in all commercial and government establishments Looks great to me.
Yes it does. I don't think I've welcomed you before, so welcome. Where are you located? Do you have a connection to Pinas? Sometimes I get curious Especially with unusual names No offence intended redbricks
Could be from Accrington http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...sg=AFQjCNEapnN2JLtrZQEFHtRiKUVoKrd4bg&cad=rja Also,a big welcome from me.
Well, many of these measures are proposals and let's hope they do not increase prices to foreigners before offering us the discounts.
Sorry, but the Foreigners like us are not included in the act... Its is only valid for SC with dual Pinoy citzenship and other born Pinoys. There are some foreigners which hold an SC card due to misunderstandings by some local LGU's, but i have to warn ( as the Display in Mercury Drudstore nationwide) "....that a foreign national using thjis priviledges WILL be deported" Even when they issue this card, we are still punishable. I made a loger post a minute ago, but it was swalloed by some login for some reason (grrr) and i dont want to retype it again and post all the links in this matter. But the bottomline is - its not valid for us foreigners !! Confusion was often caused by the original proposal of the expanded act, btu the "foreigner" part has been taken out.
Did I misunderstand something here? All the links I posted are new media reports about new proposals being pushed at the moment for implemenation during 2012 It clearly states that:- I read through the proposals once again and it really says it includes all senior citizen foreigners. Of course the current scheme does not allow foreigners, but this is all about new proposals. Well that's the way I read it. How can the act state that foreigners using the card will be deported when the new act has not yet been approved? Guenther, did you really read those links above? Or is it my senior moment
No, its not a senior moment, it is really really confusing. It could change any minute, but the discussins/proposal/blablabla and the likes goes on since more than a decade. I am very updated ( although i am just 52 anyhow) by a US citizen from one of my NGO's, who has plenty of time at hand and is in constant contact about that matter, one can say, he is "obsessed" by it, and carries a large file with him at all times. letters to ( both nations, US and Philippines btw.) Presidents, Congressman, Senators, ...the whole works... Facts is so far, that the 'proposal" is "discussed", but a solution for us " rich puti kano's" is not to be seen anywhere soon. Understandibly, who really wants "poor" expats in the country, which "need" this? For the Pinoys its of course selfserving, most lawmakers are in the target group, so the Congressman,senators and others get this 20%. Apparently it has no income limit. ( Wonder why?) But back to to your response- I more or less just emphasized that there is NO Discount yet for 'Kano" Senior Citizens. This is a very lifely debate among expats and some even have a SC card, but i just have to warn, that use of it is against the law ( still ). And again: Its implemented for DUAL Citizens ( as many Politicians are..) which are commonly referred to as "foreigners". That is all what they were targeting for.
Very interesting to note that the Philippines wants to encourage minimum wage earners to the Philippines with discounts, whereas Theresa May wants to ensure only well-off migrants can come to the UK.
