Because of Philippine law, restaurants, cafes, and establishments of similar nature are mandated to extend the discount for senior citizens and people with disabilities to 20%. An exemption from the standard 12% in VAT is also included. In lieu of this, Starbucks has recently announced changes they will make regarding their guidelines.
Effective on January 15, 2024, Starbucks will apply the new mandate to their coffee chain, giving a 20% discount. Prior to the legal updates, Starbucks allowed senior citizens and PWD to only enjoy the discount with one drink and two food items. Now, the discount only applies to one drink and one food item. Customers will have to, as usual, present their senior citizen and PWD identification cards to make the transaction valid.
The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, also known as the Republic Act No. 9994 is what gives senior citizens this benefit, while PWD is under Republic Act No. 10754.
As Starbucks adjusts its guidelines with respect to Philippine laws, it is also important for its constituents to know the extent of these changes, and how Starbucks applies them, considering how it is one of the most sought-after coffee chains in the country. If you’re a patron of Starbucks, take note of these updates and enjoy the discount.
