BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here has passed a resolution asking the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to reconsider banning everyone over 60 years old from going outside their homes during the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Councilor Archie Baribar, author of the resolution, said senior citizens also need to go outside, [or], to move around, as long as they are practicing social distancing.
Especially those who live alone, the government should not isolate seniors in their homes, as such may be detrimental to their health, according to Baribar.
They should be allowed to do their errands and work if they are still able, he added.
“A very significant number of senior citizens in this city belongs to the bracket of 60 to 70 years of age and disallowing them to go outside tended to be unhealthy (physically and mentally), counterproductive and contrary to their total well-being,” the councilor furthered.
Pineda said he is respectfully asks the national government to reconsider this provision to ensure that senior citizen’s rights are not unduly curtailed, but still ensuring the protection of their health and safety./PN
