MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is not prohibiting senior citizens to go out and access their basic needs, said Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
This came after the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) appealed to local government units and mall and grocery store owners to allot a certain time for senior citizens to shop.
“Pwede silang mag-mall o grocery para sa kanilang basic needs anumang oras. Never natin silang pinagbawalang lumabas para bumili ng kanilang basic necessities,” Roque clarified in a virtual press conference on Thursday.
“Ang general rule para sa senior citizens ay maging homeliners, pero kung walang ibang makakabili ng kanilang mga kailangan, pwede po silang lumabas,” he added.
NCSC chairman Franklin Quijano on Wednesday suggested that establishments should allot the 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. time slot to senior citizens and allow the public to shop just after the said schedule.
“We hope that the first portion of the day, puwede ibigay sa senior citizens. Kasi disinfected naman ‘yung malls sa gabi and in the morning. If the senior citizens are allowed, then the chances or risks of them getting any disease are low,” Quijano said.
Under the guidelines of the IATF-EID, persons aged 21 below and 60 above are not allowed to go out unless to access essential goods and services and for work.
Quijano said, however, many seniors are still prohibited from entering commercial establishments.
“Ang dami pong nagrereklamo dahil ang senior citizen ay hindi pinapapasok sa mall, hindi pinapapasok sa mga grocery and sometimes they are not able to get their basic necessities,” Quijano further claimed./PN
