Solon wants to allow seniors up to 70 years old to go out; expedite pension releases

(File Photo) Village health workers in Navotas City help keep seniors at home by delivering maintenance medicines to them. PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK/@TiangcoToby

MANILA, Philippines — A congressman is asking the government to allow senior citizens aged up to 70 years old to go outside by December as well as expedite the release of pensions of seniors and retired employees.

In a statement on Saturday, Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes said he wrote a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte to let seniors up to those aged 70 to be allowed outside of their residences by December.

“Sana sa pagsapit ng Disyembre o mas maaga pa, payagan na ang mga seniors up to 70 years old na lumabas ng kanilang mga tahanan para sa makabili ng gamot sa botika, makabili ng pagkain at inumin, makapagsimba, at makita ang mga anak, apo, pamangkin, at inaanak,” Ordanes said.

(I hope by December or earlier, we can allow seniors up to 70 years old to leave their houses to buy medicine, buy food and drinks, go to church and see their grandchildren, and their relatives.)

At present, the government only allows those aged 15 to 65 years old to go out of their homes for essential travel during the enforcement of the community quarantine.

Ordanes also expressed concern for seniors who have yet to get their pensions.

“I also asked President Duterte and the IATF to please expedite the release of all remaining, as well as unreleased, 2020 DSWD social pensions for seniors and SSS/GSIS pensions for retired employees,” the congressman said

“I also brought to the attention of the President the fact that there are many seniors who have not yet received their pensions due to accessibility and other reasons,” he went on.

/MUF