Philippines-Food subsidies.

PHILIPPINES-SUBSIDIZED FOOD.

Differently-abled persons can enjoy discounts on basic and prime commodities

Filipino citizens with disabilities can now avail of a five percent (5%) special discount on basic and prime commodities.

The special discount covers basic necessities such as rice, corn, bread, fresh, dried and canned fish, dried and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, infant formulas, fresh vegetables, root crops, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergents, firewood, charcoal, candles and other commodities that may classified by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

Discounted prime commodities include fresh fruits, flour, dried, processed and canned pork, beef and poultry, meat, dairy products not falling under basic necessities, noodles, onions, garlic, diapers, paper, school supplies, herbicides, poultry, swine and cattle feeds, veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle feeds, veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle, nipa shingle, plyboard, construction nails, batteries, electrical supplies, light bulbs, and steel wire.

Discounted purchases should not exceed One Thousand Three Hundred Pesos (PhP 1,300) per calendar week. Unused portion of the weekly allowable amount cannot be added or carried-over to the following week. Items bought at discounted rate should only be those which are for the differently-abled person’s personal and exclusive consumption and enjoyment within the calendar week.

To avail of the discount, the qualified beneficiary must present the identification card issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) or by the authorized office of the Local Government Units (LGUs) where the beneficiary resides.

The 5% discount can be availed from supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and shops but not including sari-sari stores with a capitalization of less than P100,000, public and private markets, talipapa and cooperatives.

A purchase booklet shall be presented to the retailer every time a purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities is made. The LGUs shall procure and distribute the purchase booklets to the persons with disability residing within their respective localities.

This special discount is in accordance to Republic Act No. 9442 also known as the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and for Other Purposes."