Announcements
Clarification on PWD and Senior Citizen Discounts for OPMMI-Managed Staycation Units
Post Date: June 14, 2025
Dear Affiliates,
We’ve received some questions about whether OPMMI-managed staycation units are required to give government-mandated discounts to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) as per Republic Act No. 10754 and Republic Act No. 9994.
After careful review of applicable national laws and Department of Tourism (DOT) regulations, we confirm that the private units under OPMMI are not legally required to grant the 20% discount to PWDs and senior citizens.
This is based on national laws and DOT guidelines, which apply only to accredited hotels and resorts—not homestays or private rentals like ours.
Legal and Regulatory Basis
DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2017-02
“All DOT-accredited accommodation establishments, except homestays, are hereby directed to comply with the discounts mandated under R.A. 10754.”
- This explicitly excludes homestays—which covers our staycation-style private units—from the discount obligation.
DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2023-0003 (Progressive Accreditation System)
“Homestay shall refer to an alternative form of accommodation where tourists stay with the host family in the same house …”
- OPMMI units fall under this category of alternative tourism or homestay-style lodging, not traditional hotel establishments.
Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10754
Reinforces that only DOT-accredited hotels, resorts, inns, and similar establishments are mandated to provide the statutory discount—not private residential accommodations or alternative lodging facilities.
Summary of Reasons Why OPMMI Units Are Exempt
- OPMMI units are privately owned and not classified as hotels or resorts.
- They are not DOT-accredited as lodging establishments under the standard hotel/resort classification.
- OPMMI units fall under the category of homestays or alternative tourism accommodations, which are exempt from the mandate, per DOT MC 2017-02 and MC 2023-0003.
- Our listings are often hosted on platforms such as Airbnb or offered via short-term private lease—further classifying them outside the traditional lodging sector.
Important Note for Affiliates
You may courteously inform guests that while we value inclusivity and accessibility, our properties are not covered under RA 10754 or RA 9994 as interpreted by DOT guidelines. Hence, we are not obligated to provide the mandated discount, though we are free to extend promotions on a case-by-case basis at the owner’s discretion.
Please keep a copy of this memo for reference when responding to guest inquiries. Should you require a soft copy or printed version with source links, kindly reach out to the OPMMI Support Team.
Thank you for your continued commitment to providing quality service under OPMMI.
Best regards,
Management
