SENIOR CITIZENS Party-list Representative Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes appealed to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to raise the Authorized Person Outside of Residence (APOR) current limit of 65 years old to 70 for the upcoming holidays.
Ordanes recommended that senior citizens should observe a ban from travelling around MGCQ(modified general community quarantine) areas to any GCQ (general community quarantine) area and from any GCQ area to any GCQ area, Ordanes said.
“Seniors in the MGCQ areas will welcome these changes which will give back to them their freedom of movement and face to face interaction with their loved ones and friends,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, residents coming from areas with GCQ status will have to wait for the latest COVID-19 reports to determine what their next step would be.
“I appeal to the IATF to please allow more seniors outside of their residences but under these very specific conditions and other protocols that may be deemed necessary to lower the risks of COVID-19 infection,” he called.
Ordanes pointed out that the IATF should consider the mental and emotional state of the senior citizens following the months of isolation.
“Raising the APOR limit to 65 has done some good but there are tens of thousands of seniors whose health has suffered because they have hardly moved around for limited physical exercise, fresh air, and interaction with other people,” he added.
Additionally, Ordanes advised the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that centers, chapter venues of war veterans, facilities of the Philippine Veterans Bank, and open air parks can also serve as the COVID-19 vaccination centers for the senior citizens.
On Sunday, the Quezon City government announced that it will adjust the minimum age of APOR from 15 to 18. Those who fall below the 18 to 65 age group are prohibited unless they provide a valid reason and can present a company ID, school ID or any government-issued ID.