Senior citizens should be given a safe space in public parks, groceries, and mass transportation to help promote their health and wellness during the coronavirus pandemic.
The appeal was renewed by National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) chair Atty. Franklin Quijano to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in a bid to give the seniors a chance to go out of their houses to exercise and obtain essential goods and services.
"We are actually continuing, advocating for the safe space for the senior citizens. We have seen how some they are really doing effort for the safe space," Quijano said during an interview over DZBB Sunday.
"We hope all the rest of senior citizens will have opportunity to go out, make some exercise. In fact, we hope mga public parks and plazas magkaroon ng space si senior citizens, even in public transportation (We hope the senior citizens will have a space in public parks and plazas, even in public transportation)," he added.
In seeking greater mobility for seniors, Quijano acknowledged that older adults must stay active and healthy while keeping safe during the pandemic. Mental health of senior citizens may be affected if they are compelled to stay indoors all the time, he added.
Quijano has appealed anew to groceries and shopping malls to set aside senior-only shopping time. He said seniors could use the early morning hours to get essential goods and services while following health protocols in the commercial establishments.
"We are advocating na even as we're on our pre-departure, on our twilight, i-share sa amin 'yung umaga. Say first thing in the morning, say 8 a.m., makapasok na ang senior citizens sa grocery stores, pharmacies and all (Even as we're on our pre-departure, in our twilight, the morning will be shared with us. Say first thing in the morning, 8 a.m., senior citizens can be allowed go inside grocery stores, pharmacies and all)," he said.
"Sa logic naman 'yan is sa gabi kasi nililimit ang mga groceries, mga malls. In the morning, kung first thing in the morning, safe si senior citizen na makabili ng mga basic necessities (The logic is at night, the movement in groceries and malls is limited. If it is first thing in the morning, it will be safe for senior citizens to buy basic necessities) and then it will also be an opportunity for the senior citizen to have some exercise or to see the world," he said.
On public transportation, Quijano said they also hope local government units and the transport sector would allot a space for senior citizens to travel in the morning.
"This is a wish that needs to be studied. I am sure kapag binigyan ng pagkakataon, if given attention, mas matutuwa si senior citizen dahil they will have a space to work on at makapaglibot (I am sure if given attention, senior citizens will be happier because they will have a space to work on and can travel)," he said.
Quijano said the commission has already written to the IATF about the seniors' welfare but has yet to hear any action from the body.
At present, the government allows only persons aged 15 to 65 to go out of their houses in areas under community quarantine.
Under the government's quarantine rules, any person below 15-years-old, those 65 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women are required to remain in their houses at all times except for obtaining essential goods and services as well as going to work. Authorities have repeatedly cautioned that senior citizens and those with existing health conditions are vulnerable to the coronavirus illness.