Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 31) — The Philippine government’s efforts to revive the local economy could get a boost if immunized senior citizens would be allowed to go out of their residences, the National Commission of Senior Citizens said on Monday.
“The senior citizens believe that we are part of nation-building,” Franklin Quijano, chairperson of the commission under the Office of the President, told a virtual briefing.
“If you allow senior citizens to move around, definitely makakatulong po tayo (we can help) in bringing back the economic health,” he said.
Quijano assured that senior citizens will not insist on visiting crowded places, but the group was hopeful the government could create safe spaces for elderly consumers.
For instance, Quijano said the government could allow senior citizens to do their grocery shopping alone at malls, stores, and even pharmacies for the first two hours in the morning.
“As soon as it is open, kung kami lang ang papayagan (if we are the only ones allowed) for the first two hours in the morning, I know we will be able to spend and help in the rebound of our economy,” he explained.
Quijano further said the move may boost vaccine confidence in the Philippines, especially among the elderly sector.
Last week, Eric Teng, president of Restaurant Owners of the Philippines, questioned the government’s hesitance in allowing immunized senior citizens to dine in restaurants as he urged them to study creating a vaccine pass system.
“We have been in dialogue with our mayors and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and we are requesting for something called the bakuna badge,” Teng told a Senate hearing.
“It’s like a vaccine pass but it’s non-discriminatory and our first goal is to bring out the vaccinated senior citizens,” he explained.
