UMAPELA ang ilang kongresista sa gobyerno na payagang lumabas ang mga senior citizen kapag ipinatupad na ang Enhanced Community Quarantine at General Community Quarantine.
Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ni 1PACMAN Rep. Eric Pineda at House Committee on Senior Citizen’s Affairs Chairman at Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Francisco “Jun” Datol Jr., hindi makatwiran na hindi payagan na makalabas ng kani-kanilang mga bahay ang 60-anyos pataas.
“Many of our senior citizens are still strong and gainfully employed or are active in business. We don’t need to completely disallow them from leaving their homes just because of their age,” saad ng joint statement ng dalawa.
Ang kailangan lamang umanong gawin ay tiyakin na sumusunod sa social distancing ang mga ito.
“Especially those who live alone, we should not isolate them in their homes, as such may be detrimental to their health. They should be allowed to do their errands and work if they are still able,” ani Datol.
Marami rin umanong mga senior citizen na nagpapatakbo ng malalaking kompanya at maging sa Gabinete.
“Key executives in corporations are seniors. Majority of cabinet members are over 60, even the President Duterte is a senior citizen, more than 100 congressmen are over 60 years old. I’m not saying that everyone should be allowed out, because many seniors do have health problems — but there should be exemptions, maybe allow those below 70 years old without any high-risk health conditions,” saad naman ni Pineda.
Sa hiwalay na pahayag, sinabi naman ni Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo na nangangahulugan na maging si Pangulong Duterte ay hindi makalalabas kapag pinagbawalan ang mga senior citizens.
“Mandatory quarantine of senior citizens even beyond the lockdown period is inhumane. Protecting them from Covid 19 does not justify complete disregard of their civil liberties as well as their right for gainful employment and practice of their profession. No less than our President, most members of the Supreme Court and Cabinet officials, as well as Chairpersons of most companies, belong to this category,” ani Salo.
Maaari umano na pag-isipan muli ng Inter Agency Task Force ang patakarang ito.