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E_ DATE September 6, 2021 [3

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 10157
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Online transactions have now become very popular. More and more people are now
ordering food online, shopping online, and doing other transactions online.

However, with the more prevalent use of online transactions, the privileges and
benefits granted to vuinerabie sectors such as Senior Citizens and PWDs have been
overlooked and in most cases not being applied. Very few of these businesses grant the
discounts required by law on their digital platforms. Our Senior Citizens and PWDs are
deprived of the benefits and privileges granted to them by existing legislations.

As such, we need new iegisiation to ensure that they are still abie to avail of the avail
of the discounts and privileges granted to them by the law when they opt to procure
necessaries through digital platforms.

in view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought

RUFOS B. ROPRGUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 10157

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE DISCOUNT AND PRIVILEGES OF SENIOR CITIZENS, PERSONS
WiTH DISABILITIES, AND STUDENTS IN DIGITAL _ TRANSACTIONS,
INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISMS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This act shall be known as the “Digital Transactions Discount Act’

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. - it is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote social
justice in all phases of national development. The State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential
goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. Priority
shall be given to the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled women, and children

‘The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, through Article XIli, Section 11,
mandates Congress to legislate measure that protects and enhances the right of all the people
to human dignity, reduce social, economic and political inequalities, and remove cultural
inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.

SEC 3. Coverage of this Act. — This Act shall cover all Senior Citizens, Persons with
Disabilities (PWDs), and Students, as provided by their specific legislations. Privileges and
discounts granted to them shall be honored in all digital transactions, as applicable.

SEC 4. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined,
as follows:

a. Claimant to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, Students, or any
individual entitled to discounts and privileges on goods and services, as
identified through existing laws.

b. Companies refer to business entities engaged with the sales of goods and
services through digital platforms such as online and telecommunication
channels.

¢. Digital Platform refers to all online and telecommunication channels of
companies that facilitate transactions and exchanges of goods and services.

d. Digital Transaction refers to the actual exchange of money, including e-money,
for goods and services processed via digital platforms such as online and
telecommunication channels.

e. Person with Disabilities, as defined by RA 10754, refers to any person with
long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in
interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation
in society on an equal basis with others.

Physical Transaction refers to the exchange of money for goods and services
via physical stores and outlets.



g. Senior Citizen, RA 7432, refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least
sixty (60) years old, including those who have retired from both government
offices and private enterprises.

h. Student, as defined by RA 11314, refers to any Filipino citizen currently enrolled
in a duly authorized elementary, secondary, technical-vocational, or higher
education institution. This does not include those enrolled in post-graduate
degree courses and informal short-term courses.

3 4. Provision of Discount for Digital Transactions. Ali privileges and discounts
provided for by existing laws, such as but not limited to, Senior Citizens, Persons with
Disabilities (PWDs), and students, shall be duly recognized and applied in all digital
transactions. Provided, companies through their digital platforms, shall include a feature that
allows ciaimants and/or his/her authorized representative to register their accounts for the
availment of such discounts. Provided, further, That necessary identification cards, as well as
other applicable documents, are complete and duly presented by the claimant.

SEC 5. Digital Transaction Discount Mechanism. Ali companies involved in the sales of
goods and services via digital platforms shall include a feature on their websites, mobile
applications, and digital sale process that will enable claimants and/or their authorized
representatives to register their accounts that will enable them to avail such discounts.
Accounis of claimants and/or their authorized representatives must undergo assessment from
companies using the personal data and identification cards submitted by the claimants and
their authorized representatives through digital platforms. Provided, That, the discounts and
privileges to be availed are based on existing laws. Provided, further That, companies may
provide additional discounts, aside from what is provided by existing laws, for claimants and
their authorized representatives.

SEC 6. Implementation. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
Department of Social Welfare and Development, in consultation with the Department of Trade
and Industry, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of
Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Finance, shall
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this
Act

‘SEC 7. Penalties. Any person who refuses to honor the discount and privileges as provided
for by this Act and other existing laws, or violates any provision of this Act, shall suffer the
following penalties:

a. For the first violation, imprisonment of not less than one (1) but not more than
six (6) months and a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (Php10,000.00)
but not exceeding Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00)

b. For any subsequent violation, imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but
not more than one (1) year and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos
(Php50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos
(Php100,000.00); and

c. Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and a fine of not less than Fifty
thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand
pesos (Php 100,000.00).

SEC If the offender is a corporation, partnership, organization or any similar entity, the officials
thereof directly involved such as the president, general manager, managing partner, or such
other officer charged with the management of the business affairs shall be liable therefor.
Ifthe offender is an alien or a foreigner, helshe shall be deported immediately ater service of
sentence.


Upon filing of an appropriate compiaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper
authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to
operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any person, establishment or
business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act.

SEC 8. Separability Ciause. - it any provision or part of this Act is heid invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC 9. Repeating Ciause. — Ail iaws, executive orders, presidential decrees or issuances,
letter of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and regulations as well as local ordinances
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly.

SEC 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,