By: Leila B. Salaverria, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8 Oct 2020
MANILA, Philippines — Senior citizens should be able to go to groceries and shopping malls during designated hours in a day in order to get their necessities, according to the National Commission of Senior Citizens, a newly formed government body.
The commission’s chair, Franklin Quijano, suggested that malls and groceries designate the period 9-11 a.m. for senior citizens, and the rest of the day for the general public. He directed this appeal to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF), local government units, and administrators of malls and groceries.
Under IATF rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19, senior citizens and those younger than 21 years old are required to stay home unless going out for essentials or to work.
But many of the elderly complain about not being allowed inside shopping malls and groceries, Quijano said at the Wednesday Laging Handa briefing.
“Sometimes, they’re not able to get their basic necessities,” he said.
Quijano observed that malls and groceries were usually disinfected in the evening.
“And in the morning, if senior citizens are allowed [in], then the chances or the risk of them getting any disease is low,” he said. Quijano expressed hope that local government units would comply with any directive in this regard, pointing out that LGUs had occasionally ignored orders from Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
“Senior citizens are in the twilight of their lives. Please favor us the morning,” he said.
The National Commission of Senior Citizens was created under Republic Act No. 11350, which was enacted in 2019. It is tasked to, among others, formulate policies for the promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of senior citizens.
The commission has neither office nor budget yet, and no implementing rules and regulations as well as organization structure, Quijano said.
But the opportunity that its creation gives to senior citizens will go a long way, he said.
The Philippines observes Elderly Filipino Week every first week of October.
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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