Starbucks Apologizes for Senior Citizen, PWD Discount Signage

(SPOT.ph) Starbucks had folks buzzing for reasons outside their caffeinated sips last week: the coffee chain put up in-store announcements that say it is putting a limit on the 20% discount and 12% VAT exemption usually given to senior citizens and persons with disability. Well, it looks like that might change, as the House of Representatives has prompted the coffee shop to lift the cap.

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Updates on the senior citizen and PWD discounts at Starbucks in 2024:

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, principle author of the senior and persons with disability (PWD) discount law, called for a House inquiry on January 17 following complaints about Starbucks now limiting the discount to be applicable to just one drink and one food item. Responding to this, local Starbucks operations director Angela Cole said her company is taking "full accountability" and acknowledged their "mistake," admitting the signages were "not properly worded," said during the inquiry. 

"We remain steadfast in extending the privileges as intended... Starbucks has always, and will continue to extend full discount priveleges to the senior citizen for their personal use and enjoyment of our honored and valued senior citizen and PWD customers."

Starbucks has ordered these signages to be removed and the guideline, said Cole, was "never followed."

"Starbucks Philippines guarantees government discounts on all food and beverage orders clearly for the exclusive use and enjoyment of senior citizens, person/people with disabilities, and other eligible individuals. We apologize for the confusion and appreciate the support and understanding of our customers," they said in a statement. 

Following this, Albay Representative Joey Salceda urged Starbucks to offer buy-one-take-one deals to senior citizens and PWDs. “You violated the law. Saying sorry is not enough. We will consider initiating prosecution."

For context: the senior citizen and PWD discount previously applied to up to one drink and two food items at Starbucks.  

The senior citizen and PWD discounts are given in light of Republic Act No. 9994 (also called the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010) and Republic Act 10754, respectively.

Starbucks is an American coffee chain that was established in the '70s. They came to the Philippines in 1997, bringing their signature coffee drinks and pastries with them, and have been a favorite among Filipinos ever since. Other bestsellers at Starbucks are the Caramel Macchiato and Mocha Frappuccino.

For more information, check out Starbucks Philippines' Facebook page.

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