Senators Cynthia Villar and Nancy Binay tussled over the proposal to lift the rule stopping senior citizens from leaving their homes even if they have completed both doses of the coronavirus vaccine. 

As the Senate committee on economic affairs resumed its hearing on industries affected by the pandemic on Tuesday, May 25, Villar questioned the strict stay-at-home policy for senior citizens aged 65 years old and above.

Villar, 70, said the elderly should be allowed to leave their homes and dine at restaurants if they have completed their COVID-19 vaccination.

“Eh vaccinated na sila. Why did you vaccinate them if you will not allow them [to go outside]?… Kawawa naman ‘yung mga senior citizen, ‘di ba? Baka maloko na ‘yun sa bahay,” said Villar.

(They’re already vaccinated. Why did you vaccinate them if you will not allow them to go outside?… A pity on the senior citizens, right? They might lose their minds at home.)

Must Read

DOH not in favor of ‘vaccine pass’ for access to business establishments

But Binay disagreed.

She said vaccinated senior citizens could still spark super spreader events since most Filipino laborers – among them waiters working at restaurants – have yet to get COVID-19 jabs. 

Binay said seniors could be allowed to leave their homes once the government begins inoculating the A4 priority group or those deemed as essential workers. 

Senators have previously slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s government over the slow pace of COVID-19 vaccinations in the country.

“‘Pag nag-open na ‘yung A4 [priority group], puwede na siguro. Kasi ‘yung seniors natin, puwede silang mag-spread ng virus. Kasi ‘di ba, kahit vaccinated ka na, you can still get the virus; asymptomatic, pero you’re spreading [it],” said Binay.

(Perhaps if the vaccination of the A4 priority group has been open, we can do this. Our seniors can still spread the virus. Because when you are vaccinated, you can still get the virus; you’re asymptomatic, but you’re still spreading it.)

Play Video

Villar was unconvinced.

She said it was ironic that the government prioritized the vaccination of seniors, only to continue restricting their movement. 

Binay then pointed out that the elderly had to be vaccinated first because they are more at risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to the rest of the population.

She said seniors were also the ones likely to be in need of hospitalization should they be infected with the virus. 

Villar then insisted fully vaccinated senior citizens should already be allowed to leave their homes. The senator pointed out, however, that the authorities have not stopped her from leaving her house even if she’s above 65.

“Yeah, but when you are vaccinated, the assurance of the vaccination is that you will not be, you do not have to go to the hospital. Kung magkaroon ka man (You might get) slight flu, but never death and never serious COVID illness,” said Villar. 

Besides, added the senator, any asymptomatic person – regardless of age – can trigger a super spreader situation. 

“Bakit mo namn ia-ano, parang pagbabawalan mo ‘yung senior citizen eh lahat naman spreader naman, hindi lang naman ‘yung senior citizen. Parang kawawa naman sila,” said Villar. 

(Why would you prevent seniors when anyone can be spreaders? I pity them.)

When Binay reiterated her proposal to allow seniors to go out only when the A4 priority group has been vaccinated, presiding chair Senator Imee Marcos agreed. “Oo dapat, kawawa naman (Yes, that should be done since we pity their situation),” said Marcos.

However, she added: “It still defies logic, ano (right)? Mahirap ipaliwanag sa ating mga señoritas and señoritos (It’s hard to explain to our senior citizens).”

The Inter-agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) has a standing rule barring those aged 65 and above from leaving their homes, but it has yet to release a protocol for seniors who have completed their COVID-19 vaccine doses. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in its updated guidelines said that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a face mask or stay six feet away from others in most settings either indoor or outdoor.

As of Monday, May 24, the Philippines has already tallied 1.18 million COVID-19 infections with 19,983 deaths and 1.12 million recoveries. – Rappler.com