Seniors entitled to full 20-percent discount, DTI says

Here’s good news for senior citizens: You should get the full 20-percent discount mandated by law for goods and services even if these also have promotional discounts. This is the ruling of the Department of Trade and Industry on a request for an opinion by Sofitel hotel. Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, a senior citizen, had sued the hotel for its refusal to give him the 20-percent discount granted by Republic Act No. 9994 to senior citizens over and above the 50-percent discount granted him as a member of its Accor Advantage. Sofitel’s lawyers argued that giving both discounts to Macalintal would violate the provision of the law on “double discounts.”

Macalintal explained the meaning of the DTI ruling to journalists at the Kapihan sa Manila at the Diamond Hotel last Monday. The other guests at the breakfast forum were lawyer Hernando Cabrera, who cited efforts to improve the LRT-MRT elevated rail system, and Elizabeth Ventura, president of real estate developer Anchorland, who explained the controversial transformation of the historic 8-story Admiral Hotel in Manila to a boutique hotel that will supposedly remain faithful to the intent of its former owner. Heritage groups are protesting the demolition of the old building to give way to a new one.

In his quarrel with Sofitel, Macalintal said the first 50-percent discount was by virtue of his contract with Accor (for which he pays an annual membership fee of P8,000) while the next 20 percent is a benefit granted him by law as a senior citizen. Therefore, he should get a total of 70 percent. Sofitel, on the other hand, wanted to give him a discount of only 30 percent (50 percent minus 20 percent equals 30 percent). The DTI ruled in favor of Macalintal.

“The prohibition on double discounting is applicable only when the discount is for the establishment’s promotion, but only if a DTI permit is applied for and granted,” the DTI said in its opinion. Without a DTI permit, an establishment is mandated by law to give the full 20-percent discount to senior citizens in addition to the promo discounts.

The penalties for violation of RA 9994 are closure of the establishment, a jail term, and a hefty fine for the owner and/or manager of the establishment.

Macalintal said the DTI opinion should serve as a warning to establishments that even with an ongoing promo discount, a senior citizen is still entitled to his/her 20-percent discount if such a promo is not approved by the DTI.

He advised senior citizens: If an establishment claims that its product is “on promo,” ask if the promo has been approved by the DTI. If the answer is “yes,” ask for a copy of the DTI approval. If the proprietors cannot show any, you can demand your full 20-percent discount in addition to any other discounts the establishment is giving.

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For his part, LRT-MRT spokesperson Hernando Cabrera told the journalists at the Kapihan that the public’s woes in taking train rides would be over late next year, when 48 new coaches from China are expected to arrive and put into service in addition to the existing trains that would be repaired and refurbished. Each train will have an additional coach so it can accommodate more passengers. With more trains running, a train can be expected to arrive at the station every three minutes.

Cabrera also said the rails that had been breaking down recently, as well as the signaling system, would be replaced, and the output of the generators that provide the electricity that make the trains run would be increased to be able to take the extra load. He said the ticketing system would be much faster as well. It’s as if the whole MRT3 system will be brand-new, he said optimistically.

At present, waiting in line just to get up to the station, buy tickets, and enter the packed coaches take much longer than the trip itself.

Replying to a question, Cabrera said the new LRT extension to Cavite would have parking lots at every station where commuters could leave their vehicles. He said this was the original intent for the MRT3 system on Edsa but that there was no space for it. On the way to Cavite, however, there is plenty of space, so there will be sufficient parking lots.

Asked about the controversy over the common station in Quezon City, and whether it would be located at SM North as originally planned, or at Trinoma, Cabrera refused to comment on the ground that the matter is in the court and therefore sub judice.

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On the controversial “rebirth” of the heritage Admiral Hotel, Ventura said construction had stopped and would not be resumed until the differences of opinion are resolved. Anchorland has started to demolish the old structure and was going to erect a new one in its place when heritage groups protested.

According to Ventura, the foundations and walls of the old hotel are no longer sound and are in danger of collapsing. The new hotel, however, will retain the look and ambiance of the old Admiral Hotel, she said.