MANILA, March 19 -- A joint panel of the House of Representatives approved on Tuesday three bills seeking to expand the benefits of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs).

During a hearing, the House committees on senior citizens, disability affairs, and ways and means approved House Bills (HB) 10061, 10062, and 10063, all of which aim to enhance the discounts, benefits, and privileges of senior citizens and PWDs.

HB 10061, in particular, proposes that the mandatory 20-percent discount and value-added tax exemption granted to senior citizens and PWDs be applied in addition to any prevailing promotional offers or discounts extended by business establishments.

Ways and means committee chairperson Joey Salceda said the senior ...