ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Mar. 22 (PIA) –Capiceño senior citizens have already started enjoying their discount in their water bills.

Metro Roxas Water District Information Officer Dante Arcangeles disclosed that a total of 226 member-consumer senior citizens from Capiz have already availed of their 5-percent discount in their water bills.

Arcangeles said that the availment of said discount started in February based on their consumption in January.

He said that based on their record, there are about 433 senior citizens who are to avail of said discount based on their application with the MRWD.

Arcangeles pointed out that they are giving said discount to their senior citizen members for the first 30-cubic meter consumption while the succeeding consumption is charged based on their regular water rate.

Republic Act 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 provides for a five-percent discount availment by senior citizens 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.

Under said law, there is an expanded value-added tax (EVAT) exemption for senior citizens, or those who are 60 years old and above, on 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.

It is estimated that some 4.6 million senior citizens will be exempted from the payment of the 12 percent EVAT on basic purchases and other essential goods and services. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

by Jemin B. Guillermo