Authorities urged to give senior citizens time to shop for basic needs

MANILA, Philippines — The National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Wednesday appealed to local government units and owners of malls and grocery stores to allot a certain time for senior citizens to shop for their basic needs.

In a televised briefing, NCSC chairman Franklin Quijano suggested that establishments allot the 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. time slot to senior citizens and just allow the general public to shop after the allotted time.

“We hope that the first portion of the day, puwede ibigay sa senior citizens. Kasi disinfected naman yung malls sa gabi and in the morning, if the senior citizens are allowed, then the chances or risks of them getting any disease is low,” Quijano said.

(We hope that the first portion of the day, they give it to senior citizens. Since malls are disinfected at night, the  chances or risks of them getting any disease is low in the morning if the senior citizens are allowed.)

“This is an appeal that we would like to give to all malls, groceries, and most especially the local government units,” he added.

Under the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, persons aged 21 below and 60 above are not allowed to go out unless it is for accessing essential goods and services and for work.

Despite the exception of essentials, Quijano said many senior citizens complain of being barred from entering establishments.

“Ang dami pong nagrereklamo dahil ang senior citizen ay hindi pinapapasok sa mall, hindi pinapapasok sa mga grocery and sometimes they are not able to get their basic necessities,” Quijano said.

(There are many complaints that the senior citizens cannot enter malls and grocery stores and sometimes  they are not able to get their basic necessities.)

/MUF