THE Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) has called upon local government units, especially the barangays (villages), to take a more proactive stance in ensuring the safety and protection of older persons during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, particularly those living alone.

PopCom noted that, with the ongoing health crisis, the family should be the first-line provider for the care and wellbeing of its members. However, elderly and senior citizens who are living alone have become doubly vulnerable with the absence of the usual support system supposedly provided by their close kin.