Generational bias – 2

By Modesto P. Sa-onoy

We are getting more complaints against official bias depriving senior citizens of their rights to free movement ostensibly for their own good. I have read many times in history that governments decided the “common good” as excuse to impose totalitarian rule. Students of history know that but the only ones who can determine what is good for them is God, not even man who can and must respond to God’s plan for his own good and salvation

I cited yesterday statements from several officials that called the ban on seniors as a prejudice as if the seniors have no more rights but must be isolated.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez echoed the same sentiments citing complaints from senior citizens. “They are asking the [task force] to trust them with their own safety. They will always wash their hands, wear face masks when going out and always observe social distancing.”

Indeed, senior citizens are normally more law-abiding and careful of their health than the younger ones. For the young ones it might be a different matter with different approaches.

On the other hand, for the young adults and seniors as well, who are employed, the issue is not about health alone but a long-term impact on their wellbeing.

There is no available data on the number of workers aged 18 to 20 and those aged 60 and above. But data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that as of July 2019, 15.3 percent of the employed workforce, around 6.6 million are aged 15 to 24, while 15.9 percent or around 6.8 million, are 55 and above.

The numbers suggest a significant part of the workforce will be wiped out if the new regulation, the so-called “new normal” is enforced over a long period as Cong. Villafuerte suggest, up to 2022.

ECOP’s Ortiz-Luis, who is 75 years of, pointed out that many business owners, especially of small companies, are senior citizens. Some of them may not feel confident running their company from their homes, as they should be in their offices overseeing the operations. And to add, neither are all of them well-skilled in the use of computers.

He also cited double standard in the regulation, saying most government officials, including President Duterte and most members of his Cabinet are senior citizens. “They say senior citizens are endangered. Fine. But you must help them, not make their lives difficult.”

To be fair and to be true to their claim that seniors are rendered endangered species by the pandemic, the rulers should ban the judges, local officials and their army of executive assistants and ordered to stay home.

“Don’t discriminate against them. You think you are protecting them. No, you are harming them. You are harming the economy. That regulation wasn’t well thought of,” Ortiz said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said officials were studying the proposal. He claimed he had been deluged with complaints about the restrictions concerning the elderly.

“Actually, I’ve been hounded by senior citizens since that announcement came out because apparently the 60-plus seniors are the decision-makers in different companies, including government.” He noted that 80 percent of Cabinet officials are senior citizens. So, keep them home.

“I hope they come up with exceptions to the rule that senior citizens together with the youth will have to stay indoors,” Roque said.

As if responding to the avalanche of complaints, the Department of the Interior and Local Government the other day said that senior citizens who are still in the workforce and those who live alone will be allowed to go out in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 1.

The DILG admitted they “know that there are senior citizens who are still active, still working. They manage the big companies; they are the executives. We will give them an exemption. If it is in line with work, they are allowed. They manage the big companies. They are the executives. We will give them an exemption. If it is in line with work, they are allowed.”

Senior citizens who do not have younger companions or living alone or retired can go out so they can buy their food and other necessities.

But they cannot enter the ECQed Bacolod where most transactions, like with banks are done.

There is still bias. They can go to the malls but not to church.