MANILA, Philippines: In a recent inquiry by the House of Representatives, Starbucks Coffee Philippines admitted to removing a signage that caused confusion regarding the discounts for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). The now-removed signage stated that food and drink purchases eligible for the discounts would be limited to one food item and one drink per visit starting January 15, 2024.
Angela Cole, the operations director of Starbucks Coffee Philippines, clarified that the signage was not properly worded. She expressed the company’s accountability for the mistake and disappointment over the confusion it caused. The signage was immediately taken down, and the guideline was never enforced.
Cole assured lawmakers that Starbucks Coffee Philippines remains committed to extending the privileges intended for senior citizens and PWDs in all their stores throughout the Philippines. However, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro questioned why the erroneous signage was put up in the first place.
Cole admitted that it was an error and explained that the signage was initially a response to employees seeking guidance on how to handle discounts. The company acknowledges the mistake and takes full responsibility for the confusion it caused.
It is important to note that senior citizens in the Philippines are entitled to benefits under Republic Act (RA) 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. On the other hand, PWDs have benefits under RA 10754, the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs.
During the inquiry, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, raised concerns about the interpretation of “exclusive use” clauses, which have curtailed the availment of discounts. Salceda proposed clarifying the definition of exclusive use to ensure that eligible individuals can fully enjoy the benefits.
Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes, the chairman of the House Committee on Senior Citizens, expressed his intention to draft a bill that would ensure the 20 percent discount for senior citizens applies to sales promotions as well.
In conclusion, Starbucks Coffee Philippines has acknowledged its mistake in displaying an erroneous signage related to senior citizen and PWD discounts. The company has taken immediate action to rectify the confusion by removing the signage and remains committed to extending the intended privileges to eligible individuals. The House of Representatives is actively investigating the implementation of laws providing benefits to senior citizens and PWDs, with lawmakers proposing measures to clarify existing clauses and ensure the full enjoyment of these benefits.
Source: The Manila Times
