Ordinance mandates utility meters in senior cititizens’ names

By Ernie Delgado

MASBATE CITY --- The municipality of Claveria is set to impose penalties on establishments that fail to display posters informing senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) of their entitlement to a 20-percent discount.

Claveria Municipal Councilor Mark Andueza, one of the sponsors of Municipal Ordinance 274-2024, said that many senior citizens and PWDs are unaware of their benefits because businesses are not complying with Republic Act 9994 and R.A. 10754, which require the visible presentation of the 20-percent discount notice for senior citizens and PWDs.

To ensure compliance with the law, Ordinance 274-2024 mandates that establishments display posters informing senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) of their 20% discount and VAT exemption.

The posters, sized 1 foot by 1.5 feet, must read: “This Business Grants a Twenty Percent (20%) Discount to PWDs (Under Section 4 of R.A. 10754) and Senior Citizens (Under Section 4 (A) of R.A. 9994).”

Non-compliance may result in a fine of P1,500 or the closure of the establishment.

The ordinance will take effect after it is published in a newspaper of local circulation. (PIA5/Masbate)