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In the Philippines, senior citizens enjoy various special benefits and discounts designed to make their lives more comfortable and affordable. These discounts are part of the government’s efforts to recognize the contributions of the elderly and provide them with financial relief. To help inform you of these perks, we’ll discuss the discount to which a senior citizen in the Philippines is entitled to such as at a hotel, restaurant, grocery store, or even on electricity bills!

Eligibility for Senior Citizen Discounts

According to the Republic Act (RA) 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, residents 60 years old and above are considered senior citizens in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, there were 9,242,121 senior citizens in the country as of 2020. However, only 6,810,435 are registered to the National Commission of Senior Citizens as of September 2024.

 

Under RA 9994, eligible citizens are automatically entitled to benefits granted by the law. This privilege also includes dual Filipino citizens who have resided in the Philippines for at least six months.

How can senior citizens avail of these perks?

A senior citizen or their authorized representative can avail of the discounts granted under RA 9994 by presenting their senior citizen ID issued by the  Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). However, they should also present the necessary booklet when purchasing medicines, basic necessities, or prime commodities.

List of Senior Citizen Discount in the  Philippines

In addition to the centenarian benefits, a senior citizen in the Philippines can enjoy a 20% or 5% discount on grocery stores or when enjoying a movie or staying at a hotel. To help you get the most out of these privileges, here’s a comprehensive list:

Medical Benefits

Aside from RA 9994, RA 10645 provides mandatory Philhealth coverage to all seniors in the Philippines. This means the National Government will cover their annual premium contributions from RA 10351 (Sin Tax Law) proceeds if the senior isn’t a member of other Philhealth categories.

In addition, senior citizens are covered by Philhealth’s No Balance Billing Policy. This policy ensures qualified members will not be charged or forced to spend out-of-pocket for medical services rendered in government hospitals and select Philhealth-affiliated private hospitals.

Furthermore, seniors can enjoy a 20% discount when purchasing the following medical-related purchases and services through their senior citizen ID:

• Prescribed medicines, vitamins, and minerals
• Medical supplies, accessories, and equipment (ex., hearing aids, eyeglasses, wheelchairs, crutches, etc.)
• Medical or dental services (ex., blood tests, x-rays, etc.) 
• Professional fees of attending physicians and professional health workers providing home health care

Also Read: What are the Rights and Privileges of Filipino Senior Citizens?

Transportation Benefits

Senior citizens can enjoy a 20% discount on fares for the following land transportation: 

• Public Utility Buses (PUBs) 
• Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) 
• Asian Utility Vehicles (AUVs)
• Shuttle services
• Taxis
• Light Rail Transit (LRT) 
• Mass Rail Transit (MRT)
• Philippine National Railways (PNR)

Furthermore, seniors can also apply this discount for domestic air transport services and sea shipping vessels. AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines have implemented this discount on their websites and mobile apps since 2017.

The Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also requires ride-hailing services, like GrabCar, to implement the 20% discount for senior citizens. 

You’ll need to create an account on the Grab mobile app to get the discount. Submit a copy of your senior citizen ID and a government-issued ID that contains your birth date. Grab will process your request within 7-10 days. Once approved, you can start booking discounted Grab rides.

Another transportation perk that senior citizens can enjoy is some cities in the Philippines offer free parking. You can find some throughout Manila, Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Pasig, Quezon City, and Cebu.

Utility Bill Benefits

A senior citizen in the Philippines can enjoy a 20% discount on utilities such as electricity and water if their account is registered under their name. However, this only applies to bills with an electric consumption not exceeding 100kWh or water consumption not exceeding 30 cubic meters.

Grocery Benefits

Filipino seniors are eligible for a 5% discount when purchasing basic necessities and prime commodities. This is under the joint administrative order of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Energy (DOE). This special discount originally amounted to ₱65 per week but was recently raised to ₱125 per week in 2024.

You can use this discount when purchasing the following basic necessities:

• Rice
• Corn
• Bread
• Fresh, dried, and canned fish and other marine products
• Fresh pork, beef, or poultry meat
• Fresh eggs
• Fresh and processed milk
• Fresh vegetables
• Coffee 
• Sugar
• Cooking oil
• Salt
• Laundry soap and detergents

This discount also applies to prime commodities like:

• Fresh fruits
• Flour
• Dried, processed, and canned pork, beef, or poultry
• Dairy products that do not fall under basic necessities
• Noodles
• Onion
• Garlic

Note that a senior citizen can only avail of this special discount from major grocery stores in the Philippines like SM Supermarkets, Robinsons Supermarket, PureGold, and Prince Hypermarkets. This privilege doesn’t apply to sari-sari stores and wet markets.

Restaurant and Food Establishment Benefits

Senior citizens can enjoy a 20% discount on meals when dining at a restaurant or fast-food establishment in the Philippines, such as Jollibee, McDonald’s, KFC, and Chowking. To avail of this offer, they just need to present their senior ID when ordering or paying the bill.

This discount also applies to delivery apps like GrabFood and FoodPanda. When ordering, mention the senior citizen’s name and number. Remember to present your ID once your food arrives.

Also Read: How to Avail Free Birthday Pizza at Shakey’s

Entertainment Benefits

Instead of discounts, a senior citizen in the Philippines can enjoy free movie tickets every Monday and Tuesday if they watch from SM, Ayala Malls, and other major establishments. Note that each mall will have different schedules, so it’s best to check with your local movie theaters.

To enjoy this freebie, you will simply present your senior citizen ID at the ticket counter. Choose a movie, and you’re all set to watch.

A senior citizen is also entitled to a discount if they want to stay in a hotel in the Philippines. Whether it’s at the Shangri-La,  Manila Marriott, or Radisson Blu, you can expect a 20% discount on your bill if you present your senior ID upon paying.

Other recreational establishments where seniors can get discounts include:

• Theaters
• Concert halls
• Circuses
• Carnivals

Death Benefits

Families of deceased Filipino senior citizens can claim a 20% discount on funeral and burial services. This includes hospital morgues, caskets, urns, embalming, and cremation services.

If you’re a Social Security System (SSS) member, your beneficiary can claim a death benefit if you paid at least 36 months of contributions. In addition, your family members can claim a funeral benefit of up to ₱60,000 to help cover burial expenses.

Senior Citizen Discount in the Philippines: FAQs

For additional information on senior citizen discounts, here are answers to frequently asked questions:

Are PWD and senior citizen discounts the same?

No, PWD and senior citizen discounts are not the same. Although they’re both entitled to 20% discounts on select purchases and services, a PWD discount is only for persons with disabilities. Meanwhile, a senior citizen discount is only applicable to elderly Filipinos. You only enjoy one 20% discount per purchase if you’re eligible for both.

What is the senior citizen benefit of DSWD?

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provides indigenous senior citizens with a ₱1,000 monthly stipend through its Social Pension program. This stipend helps seniors with daily expenses for basic necessities like food and medicines.

Do senior citizens get discounts on international flights?

No, senior citizens in the Philippines don’t get a discount for international flights. The 20% discount only applies to domestic and non-promotional fares.

Sources: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10)

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Keep Reading: How To Register For Senior Citizen ID Online