The policy on senior citizens’ mobility in quarantine areas in the Philippines is open to misinterpretation and confusion.

It states “Any person… who are sixty (60) years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices.

The experience on the ground shows that LGUs and enforcers see the restriction but not the exception. We want to avoid overzealous enforcers who are only too ready to apply physical force. We also want to prevent arguments or conflicts between senior citizens and enforcers due to misinterpretation of the guidelines because of limited understanding of English and poor grasp of legalese.

We request a rewording of the guidelines with a separate clause specific to the concerns of senior citizens, as follows:

Any person sixty (60) years old and above is free to go to any place where people may go, but they will be provided ample protection from health risks. Whenever they go out of their residences, they must strictly and diligently comply with all public health practices prescribed by the DOH, or their places of work, or the establishment they are dealing with as they obtain essential goods and services, including wearing face masks, or protective equipment, or any combination thereof, which can effectively prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Senior citizens with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks should remain in their residences unless allowed by their physicians. Seniors citizens who live alone or cannot go out will be provided with compassionate assistance by barangay and purok officials and/or the personnel of the Social Welfare and Development Office in the municipalities or cities.

A valid senior citizen’s ID shall serve as Quarantine Pass provided it is the original Senior Citizens' Identification Card issued by the Head of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) of the place where the senior citizen resides, and which shall be honored nationwide, or any other ID prescribed in R.A. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

We ask as well that the IATF-EID recognize our group - Seniors sa Panahon ng COVID (SPC) - as a stakeholder for elderly welfare and rights. We are with you in this fight against COVID-19. Consult us. Have us involved in the formulation of policies affecting our sector and its implementation.  

Trust Senior Citizens! Thank you for your protection.

Respectfully yours, 

The Administrators and the 24,000++ members
of Seniors sa Panahon ng COVID (SPC)

Ref: SPC-P3 Online Petition/change.org

27 May 2020