(Photo courtesy : PIA)
A modest but meaningful savings is beginning to reach more households in Metro Manila, as senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) gradually learn about the government-mandated 5-percent discount on household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
For 62-year-old Pasig City resident Marissa Santos, the benefit came as a surprise rather than an expectation. Forced to buy LPG from a different retailer when her usual supplier was closed, Santos was taken aback when the store staff asked for her senior citizen ID and informed her that she was entitled to a discount.
She said the reduction, though small on paper, still eases everyday expenses for seniors living on fixed incomes. Santos added that she had never been offered the discount before, underscoring how uneven awareness and implementation have been.
The Department of Energy has since clarified that not all LPG sellers are authorized to extend the discount. Only dealers and distributors holding a valid License to Operate (LTO) issued by the DOE are allowed to grant the price reduction, a distinction that explains why some consumers encounter inconsistent application across different outlets.
Renewed public awareness followed reminders from the DOE on Joint Administrative Order No. 24-02, which updated the rules on special discounts for senior citizens and PWDs and took effect in March 2024.
For Cherry Galvey of Caloocan City, who recently turned 60, the policy came as welcome news. She said she was unaware of the benefit until recently and now plans to avail of it on her next LPG purchase.
Galvey noted that her household typically replaces its LPG tank every three months. With the current guidelines allowing the discount once every five months, she expects to enjoy the savings on alternating purchases—an arrangement she described as a small but welcome relief amid rising household costs.
Under existing regulations, qualified senior citizens and PWDs are entitled to a 5-percent discount on household LPG with a net content of up to 11 kilograms. The discount applies strictly to LPG intended for personal or household use and does not cover purchases for commercial or business purposes.
To avail of the benefit, consumers must present a valid government-issued Senior Citizen or PWD ID along with their official purchase booklet to an authorized LPG dealer or distributor.
The rules also accommodate housebound beneficiaries. Representatives may claim the discount on their behalf by presenting the beneficiary’s ID and booklet, their own valid identification, and a signed authorization letter.
As information continues to circulate, many seniors hope the policy will be more consistently observed—turning what was once an overlooked provision into a practical, everyday form of assistance.