As a person living with a disability and working as a physical therapist, I understand firsthand the daily challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in our country. The financial burden can be overwhelming, and the current system does little to alleviate the strain when it comes to purchasing basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs).

Republic Act 9442 and Republic Act 10754 were enacted to provide essential support to PWDs, granting discounts and privileges intended to ease our lives. Yet, when it comes to essential goods like rice, vegetables, meat, and LPG, the law falls short. Unlike the 20% discount and VAT exemption applicable to most other goods and services, like for medical use and transportation, BNPCs are only offered a 5% discount with a meager cap of ₱125 per week.

This disparity presents a significant disadvantage for PWDs who rely on these basic necessities. Given the rising costs of living, a mere 5% discount hardly scratches the surface of the financial support needed to sustain a decent standard of living. The current cap means that after purchasing minimal amounts of essential goods, PWDs are left with little or no discount advantage for the rest of the week.

On top of that, some establishments and even the DTI find loopholes to minimize the already small discount granted to PWDs and Seniors by only including items in the Basic Necessities items as per NCDA, and not those under Prime Commodities. Ex, processed dairies are not listed in the basic commodities but are in the prime necessities items. As a result, markets do not even include processed dairies that are locally manufactured, such as in my personal experience, Nestlé Cream (that is manufactured locally in some plants) and Carnation Evaporated & Condensed Milk (Nestlé Philippines), as a discountable item. So, NCDA may acknowledge “dairy” as prime necessity in principle, but when cross-checked with DTI’s BNPC implementing list, most dairy items (fresh milk, cheese, cream, butter, yogurt, ice cream) fall outside the official coverage. The gap comes from the law being outdated. The Price Act’s BNPC list hasn’t been comprehensively revised to reflect the modern Filipino diet (e.g., fresh milk is far more available now than in the 1990s, when the law was written). NCDA may conceptually include it, but DTI won’t enforce beyond the technical list unless Congress or the DTI-DA issues an updated order.

Even NCDA recognizes dairy as a prime necessity — yet the current BNPC list excludes most of them. This inconsistency deprives PWDs and seniors of rightful nutritional support.

Under Section 2.B of JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 24-02 Series of 2024, "Prime Commodities – Goods that are not considered as basic necessities but are essential to consumers, includes: All kinds of locally manufactured dairy products not falling under Section 2(a.8) of this Order"

It's imperative that our government recognizes these shortcomings and takes action. Increasing the discount rate on BNPCs to match the 20% received on other goods, or at least raising the cap to a more reasonable amount, could make an enormous difference in the lives of many PWDs.

By strengthening the discount system, not only do we affirm the dignity and rights of PWDs, but we also embody a compassionate society that genuinely caters to all its members. This petition is a call for policymakers to reassess and amend the current laws to ensure fair and equal treatment for PWDs in all aspects of their daily lives.

I urge you to sign this petition and stand with me in advocating for a more equitable and just system that comprehensively supports the daily needs of persons with disabilities in our community.