By Gabriela Baron The Commission on Population Development (POPCOM) on Sunday urged local government units to ensure the safety and protection of older persons, particularly those living alone, as the country continues to grapple with COVID-19. POPCOM noted that elderly and senior citizens living alone are doubly vulnerable in the ongoing health crisis because of the absence of the usual support system supposedly given by their families. “We consider this segment of the population as the most vulnerable because they are, by choice or circumstance, without support their families. They are the most susceptible to COVID-19 because of their weaker health, and are prohibited to leave their homes to source their needs survive, such as food and medicines,” POPCOM Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez III said. Demographic data of COVID-19 cases, particularly in terms of mortality level, has identified older persons as the most vulnerable segment of the population. Based on the latest population census in 2015, there are about 444,392 Filipinos aged 65 years and above living alone. The undersecretary underscored the role of the state in protecting the elderly. “Without their other family members to take care of them, the state—as the primary duty bearer—should and correspondingly address senior citizens’ welfare and concerns during this crisis,” Perez said. He urged barangays and community leaders to locate elderly living alone and provide them with appropriate support. “It is paramount for LGUs to have their respective databases on household populations so that they can have more reliable and population-specific interventions. Locating vulnerable members of the population is the function of an efficient demographic and socioeconomic database at the community level,” he noted. The POPCOM chief has requested barangays to be more conscious and efficient in understanding the demographic situation of their community so they can identify more appropriate interventions to ensure no one is left behind. “More than ever, the challenge for inclusivity during these trying times calls for the establishment of efficient mechanisms to easily locate vulnerable population such as the older persons who are living alone,” Perez said. “It is high time for the state to enact policies that provide broader protection framework for the most vulnerable segment of population, particularly the elderly, through long-term care policy interventions.”