Elderly to avail soon of discount on water bill
Roxas City – The water utilities in Capiz will soon implement a discount on the bill of senior citizens.
Metro Roxas Water District Information Officer Dante Arcangeles disclosed that their water utilities will grant additional privileges to their member-consumers who are 60 years old and above.
Arcangeles explained that said privilege is in compliance to Republic Act 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
He added that to implement said discount for the elderly, they are requiring some documents such as proof of age and citizenship, identification card issued by the Office of the Senior Citizens, proof of residence or barangay clearance, and authorization latter, valid government issued ID of the representative if applying through a representative.
Arcangeles added that to avail of said privilege under RA 9994, the senior citizen must be a resident of the household, and the granting of 5 percent discount will cover the first 30-cubic meter water consumption.
He likewise stressed that the said benefit is being granted to household regardless of the number of elderly living therein, and the meter registration should be in the name of the senior citizen for a minimum period of one year.
“As soon that said requirements are complies, the MRWD will automatically implement said 5-percent discount,” Arcangeles said.
Under RA 9994, senior citizens may enjoy a five-percent discount on their water and electric bills, on condition that the utilities are in the name of senior citizen and that the consumption is below 100 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 30 cubic meters water a month.
It is estimated that some 4.6 million senior citizens will be exempted from the payment of the 12 percent expanded value-added tax (EVAT) on basic purchases and other essential goods and services.
The EVAT exemption for senior citizens, or those who are 60 years old and above, applies to purchases of medicines and essential medical supplies; accessories and equipment; fees of attending physicians; medical, dental fees and diagnostic and laboratory fees; and fare paid for bus, jeepney, taxi, AUV, shuttle service, public railways, domestic air and sea transport craft transport. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)
