95 - Experiences of Senior Citizens Amidst Pandemic - The Case of Tarlac City

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EXPERIENCES OF SENIOR CITIZENS AMIDST PANDEMIC: THE CASE OF

TARLAC CITY
________________
A Thesis Presented to
The Faculty of the College of Public Administration and Governance
Tarlac State University
Tarlac City
________________
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Public Administration
________________
MAY ANN E. DUEÑAS

DANICA G. LAROYA
MIRA JANE E. PINEDA
RHEA LYNNE M. QUINTOS
June 2022
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Republic of the Philippines

COLLEGE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND
GOVERNANCE
Romulo Blvd., San Vicente, Tarlac City
APPROVAL SHEET
This thesis of MAY ANN E. DUEÑAS , DANICA G. LAROYA, MIRA JANE

E. PINEDA, RHEA LYNNE M. QUINTOS entitled, “EXPERIENCES OF SENIOR
CITIZENS AMIDST PANDEMIC: THE CASE OF TARLAC CITY” which is
prepared and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Bachelor
of Public Administration, is hereby accepted.
ALFRED V. RIGOR, DPA

Adviser
THESIS COMMITTEE
EDWIN T. CAOLENG, DPA

Chairman
PATRICIA ANN D. ESTRADA, DPA IZELLE C. FRANCISCO, MPA

Member Member
JOSHUA S. CAWIGAN, MPA

Member
Accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
EDWIN T. CAOLENG, DPA

Dean, CPAG
Date: June 2022
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ABSTRACT
Title: EXPERIENCES OF SENIOR CITIZENS AMIDST PANDEMIC:

THE CASE OF TARLAC CITY
Researcher: Duenas, May Ann E.

Laroya, Danica G.
Pineda, Mira Jane E.
Quintos, Rhea Lynne M.
Degree: Bachelor of Public Administration

Institution: Tarlac State University, Tarlac City
The study was focused on narrating the experiences and situation of elderly
citizens in Tarlac City during the COVID-19 pandemic. It discussed about the
experiences of senior citizens in Tarlac City in terms of describing the demographic
profile of the senior citizens in Tarlac City along with their age, sex, civil status,
educational attainment, health status, financial status, social support. Furthermore, the
researchers determined that hypertension and loss of income are the main problems of the
senior citizens in the city of Tarlac during the covid-19 pandemic and the researchers
were able to come up with possible interventions in solving the prevailing problems of
the senior citizens in Tarlac City amidst pandemic.
The study was conducted in various barangays in Tarlac City where 15 senior
citizen respondents were chosen to be part of the research study. The researcher
interpreted and analyzed the problems and experiences of senior citizens in Tarlac City in
2021 only. Descriptive approach was used as the research method and mode of inquiry to
investigate the lived experiences of senior citizens in Tarlac City during the pandemic,
with thematic content analysis used to locate and analyze data with the use of a google
form and interview guide.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The paper would not be achievable without the help and guidance of the mentors,
friends and acquaintances who inspired and cheered the researcher in achieving this final
conquest.
To Dr. Alfred V. Rigor, our adviser for his never-ending motivation and
encouragement all through out to complete this study. No words can describe how
“grateful” the researcher for the efforts he exerted in pursuing and assisting them.
To Dr. Edwin T. Caoleng, chairman of the panel Tarlac State University, for his
valuable comments andsuggestions for the improvement of this paper.
To Dr. Patricia Ann D. Estrada, Mr. Joshua S. Cawigan, MPA and Ms. Izelle
C. Francisco, MPA members of the panel, for their suggestions and critiquing for the
enhancement of this paper are very much appreciated.
To our friends who served as motivators and support system in pursuing our
dream.
To the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY to whom we owed everything in pursuing our
dream and aspirations despite all the trials and hardships along the way, His abundant
grace is never ending.

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DEDICATION
Every challenging task, necessities, self efforts as well as guidance of elders
especially those who were very close to our heart. Our humble efforts we dedicate this
paper to our precious and beloved family, whose compassion, love, support, and prayers
throughout the day and night have enabled us to achieve such accomplishment and honor
in finishing this study. Along with all of Tarlac State University's hardworking and
renowned instructors in the College of Public Administrations and Governance.
The Reaserchers
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE ..................................................................................................................... i

APPROVAL SHEET ........................................................................................................ ii
ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT............................................................................................... iv
DEDICATION....................................................................................................................v
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ vi
LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... viii
LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... ix
Chapter
1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND .......................................1
Introduction ..................................................................................................1
Statement of the Objectives .........................................................................5
Significance of the Study .............................................................................6
Scope and Delimitation of the Study ...........................................................7
Definition of Terms......................................................................................8
2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES ...................9
Related Literature.........................................................................................9
Related Studies...........................................................................................17
Foreign Studies ....................................................................................17
Local Studies ........................................................................................23
Conceptual Framework ..............................................................................28
3 METHODS OF THE STUDY AND SOURCES OF DATA ................30
Research Design.........................................................................................30
Research Locale .........................................................................................31
Participants of the Study ............................................................................32
Methods of Gathering Data ........................................................................32
Ethical Consideration .................................................................................33
Statistical Treatment ..................................................................................33
4 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF

DATA ............................................................................................34
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Demographic Profile of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City .......................34

Age of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ......................................34
Gender of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City .................................35
Civil Status of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ..........................36
Educational Attainmet of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ........37
Occupation of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ..........................38
Health Issues of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City .......................40
Social Support ................................................................................41
Experiences of Senior Citizens in Tarlac City Amidst Pandemic in Tarlac
City……………………………………………………………………….43
Synthesis of Cases......................................................................................61
Problems Encountered by the Senior Citizens Amidst Pandemic in Tarlac
City……………………………………………………………………….64
Proposed measures that would solve the prevailing problem experiences of
senior citizens amidst pandemic ................................................................66
Implications of the Study to Public Administration…………………….. 69
5 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................70
Summary of Findings .................................................................................70
Conclusions ................................................................................................71
Recommendations ......................................................................................73
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................75
APPENDICES. ................................................................................................................81
A. Legal Basis ........................................................................................................82
B. Request Letter for Interview .............................................................................94
C. Interview Guide/Questionnaire .........................................................................95
D. English Critique Certification ...........................................................................97
E. Turnitin Result ...................................................................................................98
PHOTO DOCUMENTATION .......................................................................................99
CURRICULUM VITAE................................................................................................108
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1 Age of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ..................................................35

2 Gender of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City .............................................36
3 Civil Status of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ......................................37
4 Educational Attainmet of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ....................38
5 Occupation of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ......................................39
6 Health Issues of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ...................................41
7 Social Support ...........................................................................................42
8 Synthesis of Cases......................................................................................62
9 Problems Encountered by Senior Citizens amidst Pandemic ....................64
10 Proposed Intervention ................................................................................66
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1 Paradigm of the Study ................................................................................29

2 Map of Tarlac City .....................................................................................31
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Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
Senior citizens are aging and are more susceptible to sickness or ailment than the
rest of the world. They are also the ones who have retired or are living on a pension.
Senior citizens are those who are 60 years old or older, or who are 65 years old or older.
The COVID-19 outbreak is wreaking havoc on people all across the planet. In
many countries, elderly adults are currently facing the greatest hazards and barriers.
COVID-19 can affect people of all ages; however, older people are at an increased risk
for developing serious diseases due to physiological changes related to aging and pre-
existing health conditions. The virus has caused enormous issues and posed a
disproportionate threat to humanity, especially to the lives, relationships, and well-being
of the elderly. No one knows how long this pandemic will last or what the long-term
impact will be on old individuals living in tight places, given the spread of the new
coronavirus and its consequences on human health. Because of the scarcity of
information currently available in the literature, it is vital to limit the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic, which might have a negative impact on elderly people and result in
higher mortality rates.
The government was under tremendous time constraints in devising policies to
address the issues posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and they relied on accelerated
administrative procedures and new types of coordinating committees to pass a flurry of
emergency legislation. Some countries have shifted staff priorities that include oversight
responsibilities in creating rapid crisis response capabilities. The COVID-19 worldwide

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health calamity, as well as its economic and social ratifications, has had an influence on
every element of life for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. People of different
ages, on the other hand, are experiencing the consequences in a variety of ways, older
people, or senior citizens.
The coronavirus pandemic impelled governments to take immediate action to
reduce the disease's impact on public health, social distance, and teaching on lockdowns
for elderly folks are two examples. Consequently, state groups are attempting to persuade
senior citizens to take preventative steps. However, doctors and researchers agree that age
is by far the most important determinant in determining whether COVID-19 will survive
particularly beyond age 65.
Consequently, governments all over the world have concentrated their efforts on
interacting with the elderly and persuading them to engage in public health preventative
programs. Considering the high morbidity and mortality of the elderly and the clear goals
of governments around the world, it is realistic to predict the oldest and most obedient
part of the population (Daoust, 2020).
According to Lai et al. (2020), the global COVID-19 outbreak has impacted
people from all walks of life, particularly the elderly. Early research from China, where
the illness is thought to have originated, suggests that COVID-19 causes the bulk of
deaths in adults aged 60 and over. In the case of Europe, which eventually became one of
the epicenters of COVID-19, the bulk of fatalities were documented among those aged 60
(WHO, 2020).
As a result, the United Nations in 2020 has established four important principles.
The objectives for action to protect older people's general well-being amid the COVID-
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19 crisis urged key players to guarantee that tough decisions about health care for older
people are well supervised, to enhance older people‟s community engagement measures,
to incorporate an emphasis on older people into various humanitarian responses, and to
encourage older people's participation in developing policies that affect them. As a result,
all nations have taken efforts to reduce the impact of the current global pandemic on the
elderly by concentrating on four primary areas of action.
Furthermore, as indicated in the research of study of Giallonardo et al. (2020) on
COVID-19 and comparable confinement measures, physical isolation and distance, in
particular are hazardous to the general public's psychological health across the world.
Frustration by itself, as well as future concerns, common emotions like anxiety, sadness,
and post-traumatic stress disorder are all well-known risk factors for mental illnesses.
The great majority of accessible research was conducted in China, where the pandemic
originated. In terms of socio-cultural context, Italy was severely impacted by the
pandemic, and it differs significantly from the East European countries.
Prior to the virus outbreak, a substantial percentage of senior citizens engaged in
social activities such as visiting senior centers, participating in religious activities,
traveling, and attending a variety of other social gatherings. In both developed and
developing nations, long-term care services in the community are readily offered whilst
members of the family can play a significant role in caring for elderly people with
functional and cognitive deficits, long-term care in the community is also vital for many
fragile seniors (Wu, 2020).
In the Philippines, the elderly is referred to as "senior citizens" described by
Republic Act No. 7432 as any resident citizen of this republic country with a minimum of
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60 years of age-by-age structure. The Philippines may be called a young society, with just
around 10% of the population being elderly people. As of the 2015 census, the Philippine
Statistics Authority recorded 7.5 million elderly citizens of the total national population.
Despite reports of major disparities in the health of Filipino seniors, there is a trend
suggesting greater functional health and higher life expectancy amongst Filipino seniors
(Castillo, 2019).
The corona virus situation has further exacerbated ageism concerns older citizens
in the Philippines, as well as having a gender dimension in this elderly population these
concerns are highlighted in recent studies exposing age discrimination and the myriad
social, economic, psychological, and physical disadvantages that older people face.
Looking into the study of Angel & Mudrazija (2020), they demonstrate that
numerous effective practices for meeting the essential needs of the elderly have been
implemented over this time. Thus, it is an opportune time to examine, and also learn from
the linked scholarly articles what measures are now being undertaken to improve the
quality of life of older inhabitants, notably in the Philippines.
Older Filipinos' strong faith and spirituality served as a source of strength and
stability in the face of hardship and tragedy (Esteban, 2015). For elderly Filipinos,
attending church on a regular basis and participating in church events and meetings is a
way of life. In the Philippines, churches are frequently congested, with people who sit
extremely close to one another in a cramped area with limited ventilation and airflow.
In the Province of Tarlac, even after the province have been identified under
modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) as a medium risk area by the IATF-
EID, Tarlac Governor Susan Yap recently imposed tighter security rules for borders in
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response to a significant rise in coronavirus cases across the country. Yap approved
Executive Order No. 14, However, this did not only intensify border security but also
places limitations on travel (Rappler, 2020).
The locale of the study is the city of Tarlac where the researchers of this study
analyze and narrate the experiences of the Senior Citizens amidst pandemics in Tarlac
City and the impact of the pandemic on their daily lives. Furthermore, the researchers
also investigated the problems that the senior citizens in Tarlac City encountered amidst
the pandemic, and they proposed measures or solutions to solve the prevailing problems
encountered by the senior citizens in Tarlac City.
The researchers are currently enrolled at Tarlac State University's Bachelor of
Public Administration program and have chosen to conduct research with the help of
professional advisers from the College of Public Administration and Governance. As an
outcome, the researchers have enough relevant information to continue their study.
Statement of the Objectives
This study aimed to narrate the experiences of the senior citizens amidst pandemic
in Tarlac City.
Significantly, the study was able to answer the following:
1. To describe the profile of the senior citizens in Tarlac City along with:
1.1 Age
1.2 Sex
1.3 Civil Status
1.4 Educational Attainment

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1.5 Health Status
1.6 Financial status (Occupation)
1.7 Social Support
2. To narrate the experiences of the senior citizens amidst pandemic in Tarlac City
3. To determine the problems encountered by the senior citizens amidst pandemic in
Tarlac City
4. To propose measures that would solve the prevailing problems experienced by
senior citizens amidst pandemic in Tarlac City
5. To identify the implications of the study to Public Administration
Significance of the Study
The study's goal was to learn about the experiences and problems that older
people in Tarlac City have had as a result of the pandemic. With precise descriptions and
methodological implications, the study improved the researchers‟ understanding and
response to the challenges that elderly persons are encountering because of the covid-19
pandemic. This study was the first comprehensive assessment of the attitudes and
compliance of the most vulnerable population in Tarlac City to the COVID-19
experiences.
To the Local Government Unit of Tarlac City, this study has raised awareness
and served as a guideline to the local government of Tarlac City in making policies and
problem interventions for the senior citizens in Tarlac City.
To the Social Workers, this research may assist the registered social worker in
comprehending the problem encountered by senior people during COVID -19 outbreaks,
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as well as in providing programs and services to senior citizens.
To the senior citizens, this research may assist people in overcoming and dealing
with their challenges throughout the epidemic and to help them grasp the current situation
and to keep the covid-19 virus from infecting them.
To the family members, this research may serve as a guide for them to better
understand the issues that their elderly mother/father or grandmother/grandfather are
facing during this pandemic in addition to their own safety.
To the Public Administration Students, the researchers believed that this study
in Tarlac City would provide sufficient information on older persons' experiences and
difficulties, which the students of Public Administration may utilize in their research.
To the Future Researchers, this study may help them in doing research on older
people's experiences during the pandemic. It served as background research on the senior
citizen‟s experiences and difficulties, allowing the subject issues to be readily targeted.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The scope of this study was to narrate the experiences of senior citizens along
with their age, gender, civil status, educational attainment, health status, financial status,
and social supports they got from the government by the use of descriptive method.
The respondents expressed their selves in a socially appropriate way with the help
of interview guides. Furthermore, interpersonal communication can be problematic,
especially when it comes to establishing trust between both the interviewer and the
responder. The purpose of this research was to look at the lives and experiences of
persons aged 60 and above in Tarlac City during the pandemic.

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This study delimited only to 15 selected senior citizen respondents that are from
various barangays in Tarlac City such as Barangay Baras-baras, San Jose, Care, San
Vicente, Tibagan, Binauganan, San Roque, Sapang Maragul, and San Isidro. The
researchers conducted online interviews with the help of Google form, limited face-to-
face interview, and via phone calls to selected target respondent senior citizens in Tarlac
City. This research was conducted in the year 2021.
Definition of terms
For clarification, the following terminologies from the study are defined.
Educational Attainment refers to the highest educational level attained by the
senior citizens or the amount of education that a person is pursuing.
Financial Status refers to the financial issues of senior citizens along with their
occupation and income.
Health Status refers to the medical issues of a senior citizen in terms of their
physiological and psychological condition.
Senior Citizen refers to any Filipino citizen, a resident of the Philippines who is
sixty (60) years old or older.
Social Support (AYUDA) refers to the monetary benefit from the DSWD‟s
Social Amelioration Program (SAP) for selected beneficiaries, foodstuffs/grocery items,
and social pensions from the local government.

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Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter is presents the literature and studies used in the study highlighting
the relevant readings and studies from the publication and research reports on the
aforementioned study, that served as a guide for the conceptual framework of the study.
The researchers utilized a variety of resources, articles, and passages from books,
journals, theses, and other written items.
Related Literature
The International Health Regulations set forth how 196 countries and the World
Health Organization (WHO) collaborate to prevent global disease spread while
minimizing unnecessarily disrupting international travel and trade. The IHR seeks for
states to refrain from taking unnecessary steps that harm people or discourage nations
from reporting new risks to international public health organizations. Article 43 of this
legally binding instrument limits the actions that nations can take when addressing public
health concerns to those that are backed by research, proportional to the dangers
involved, and human rights based (Habibi et al., 2020).
Governments all throughout the globe already implemented their own policies in
attempt to halt the spread of Covid-19 and decrease deaths, the government implemented
its own kind of mandatory self-isolation by enacting lock-out legislation. Regrettably,
restricting mobility and the most vital things may worsen the negative impact on
happiness (Greyling et al., 2021).

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The Philippine government has instituted a type of quarantine to safeguard the
citizens from the spread of COVID-19. In reaction to the WHO‟s decision to raise the
risk of COVID-19 to extremely high at the regional and global levels, the DOH has
established a contingency plan. E.O. will be terminated on April 30, 2020. s. 112, From
May 1st to May 15th, 2020, An Enhanced Community Quarantine was imposed in high-
risk regions of the Philippines, while General Community Quarantine was imposed
throughout the remainder of the country. Persons under the age of 21 would be obliged to
remain at their place of habitation in all situations (Abrigo et al., 2020).
Various strategies including social distance, quarantine, and self-isolation are
utilized to prevent the spread of the virus during a pandemic. However, the number of
people afflicted with the disease and the death rate are both on the rise. (Xu et al., 2020).
All of these things might have a harmful impact on society's psychological health.
Security measures have also long been utilized as an effective fundamental public
health control method for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The isolation of
communities or groups of healthy people who were exposed to infectious illnesses,
particularly restrictions on mobility, is known as quarantine (Kpanake et al., 2019).
Lockdowns and subsequent constraints imposed to address the COVID-19
pandemic have made the elderly more vulnerable. While they remained inside, local
media routinely reported on senior Filipinos who were running out of food and medicine.
Since the government established the Enhanced Community Quarantines (ECQ), which
ban anybody save frontline and other critical workers from entering the country, severely
destitute elderly people still working in the informal sector have lost their main source of
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income. They have little choice but to rely on food packets provided by the local
government, which are sometimes inadequate and delivered irregularly (Paul, 2020).
Because of the COVID-19, Mukku & Sivakumar (2020) stated that older adults in
institutional isolation or those traveling long distances to native locations via other
transportation means are more likely to have insufficient nourishment and hydration,
increasing their risk of delirium. Other key variables that might lead to a higher risk of
mental health disorders in older persons include a lack of family support, financial
limitations, reliance, and dwelling alone.
Even though the full scope of this pandemic's ramifications is unclear at this time,
its negative impact on psychological health has become clear. Early research has
discovered an increase in anxiety and sadness in the general population, specifically
among those forced to protracted lockdowns. Ahmed et al. (2020) stated that these effects
are accentuated in the elderly population owing to stricter lockdowns, a higher risk of
sickness, and a lack of social support.
Regardless of the importance of preventative measures in safeguarding elderly
health and lowering the COVID-19 pandemic, they will undoubtedly have immediate and
long-term consequences on the well-being and psychological health of older people
(Radwan et al., 2020).
As a result of the pandemic's psychological impacts, somewhat significant levels
of despair and anxiety of 23.6 percent and 45.1 percent respectively are projected in the
study of (Özdin et al., 2020).
COVID-19-related mortality statistics clearly reveal that the elderly is
withstanding the worst of the burden. It is unclear if their physiological sensitivity, as

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well as specificities connected to their psychosocial adjustment, plays a role in this
problem. While lockdown and social distancing have become one of the most used
strategies since the beginning of the pandemic, there have already been concerns
expressed about the direct and indirect implications of this measure, as the lockdown may
force a radical change in everyday activities and community interaction (Ganz et al.,
2020).
The study of Laguilles-Villafuerte & De Guzman (2020) stated that the dread of
death and the possibility of death can be ascribed to an individual's cognitive, emotional,
and behavioral barriers. According to recent research, age has a significant effect in the
lack or presence of death dread in various populations. Death fear dynamics are ascribed
to cultural variables such as family bonds, customs, and faith. While empirical studies on
death fear in older individuals have been conducted, little is known about the actual
experiences of Filipino older adults.
Records from the first several months of the outbreak indicate that the general
populace is experiencing significant psychological discomfort. In the event of a
pandemic, senior citizens are at a higher risk of illness and may be more vulnerable to its
negative psychosocial effects. For older persons, the effect of isolation caused by home
quarantine measures is particularly troubling. As a possible consequence, in the context
of this pandemic, a segment of the older adult population, those who live alone, warrants
special consideration. Given the enormity of the COVID-19 pandemic, current studies on
the psychological consequences of relatively small outbreaks just touch the surface of the
disease's potential impact (Chiang, 2021).

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Regardless of the fact that the virus is regarded as a global public health problem,
certain groups of people are at an especially high risk. One such group is the elderly.
Particular segments of the population, such as the seniors, are as vulnerable to the virus
since they are to the emotional impact of the pandemic and the measures being taken to
combat it throughout the crisis. As the total number of COVID-19 cases rises, and so will
the severity of the disease throughout the globe, it is more important than ever to pay
attention to our older citizens' mental health as well as their physical sensitivity to the
virus. They will need greater attention and assistance to guarantee their overall well-
being (Banerjee, 2020).
The beginning of a new pandemic, which no one has ever seen before, has
instilled anxiety in the community, notably among the elderly; individuals are regarded to
be at a higher risk of developing the disease as a result, they have become housebound,
leaving the home only when necessary. Protracted isolation is a challenging situation to
deal with and seniors who are forced to be alone may endure depressive symptoms (Ajit
& Sandeep, 2018).
According to Z. Wu & McGoogan (2020), because of fragility, the senior age
group already has specific physical, intellectual, and social vulnerabilities, which is
defined as a whole sensitivity to physiological and psychosocial elements associated with
aging. Twenty percent of those who died in China during the initial wave of the pandemic
were over the age of 60.
Furthermore, as stated by Banerjee (2020), the anxiety and ambiguity of a
pandemic might have a stronger influence on the elderly's minds, since they are more
conscious of their vulnerability. The fear of dying is outweighed by the existential

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anxiety of losing loved ones and the shame of maybe becoming disease carriers and This
might lead to a lot of "what if" concerns and self-neglect, resulting in non-compliance
with the preventive measures. They may be ignorant of COVID-19 changes due to
generational differences and sensory and cognitive impairments, making them excellent
candidates for misinformation and ineffective prophylactic action.
The unforeseen negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to
appear as the outbreak has progressed. The world has been forced to adapt as worldwide
lockdowns affect the daily lives of billions of people. The change to a focus on digital
technology addressed most of the issues faced amidst the pandemic, and many
individuals have managed to socialize, study, work, and get healthcare utilizing digital
methods. Furthermore, the elderly has been hit hardest by the pandemic's worst effects,
with tougher lockdown precautions and higher risks of anxiety and depression, and the
digital divide has not helped mitigate the effects of these measures (Martins Van
Jaarsveld, 2020).
Seniors, more than everybody else, deserve social connection, and that they need
it more than anyone else. The elderly and retired need support from every now and then,
including the company of everyone else. The elderly is more vulnerable for a variety of
reasons, including having more chronic medical conditions than younger people and
having aging immune systems that make fighting diseases, infections, and viruses more
difficult. Typically, recuperation is delayed and much more complicated (Sundararajan,
2020).
Furthermore, Lebrasseur et al. (2021) said that older individuals are a diverse
demographic, which might explain the inconsistent findings in the sampled literature
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Future research should analyze sample demographics to find factors among older adult
populations that may be related with a poorer overall experience with the pandemic, and
stronger conclusions may then be drawn. Indeed, research that especially targets
vulnerable age groups, such as individuals living in rural regions, is being conducted.
Moreover, traditional and social media programs according to Sher (2020) would
help enhance mental health and minimize suffering should be implemented. Active
outreach is required for those with a history of mental problems, COVID-19 survivors,
and the elderly. More study is needed to see how the COVID-19 pandemic's mental
health consequences might be mitigated after and during the pandemic.
The pandemic's effect on older people can also have an impact on their caretaker
(Boutoleau-Bretonnière et al., 2020). During this crisis, family members reported
experiencing worry and panic (Vaitheswaran et al., 2020) as well as difficulties
reconciling caring challenges with their own needs (Bilal et al., 2020). As a result, future
legislation and the implementation of isolation and protective measures must take the
carriers' requirements into account.
For example, the transmission of COVID-19 in nursing homes and organizations
is having a devastating impact on the lives of older people, with disturbing evidence
suggesting occurrences of abandonment or abuse at the hands, and Seniors who are
confined or locked up with family members or caregivers may be more vulnerable to
violence, abuse, and negligence in society (United Nations, 2020).
The study of Parlapani et al. (2020) reiterated that during the quarantine, the
dangers of loneliness among elderly persons were quickly brought to light. The
deployment of supportive treatments is aided by studies that identify elements that may
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lead to loneliness during a public health emergency. Throughout the pandemic outbreak,
raising awareness about how to treat and manage loneliness among the elderly, but also
after COVID-19, may help to reduce this negative emotional response.
It also underlines the importance for aging workers to avoid discriminatory verbal
or behavioral interactions with the elderly, which can exacerbate ageism. Governments,
social workers, and medical experts should do more to raise awareness of older health
needs and accelerate medical procedures that might assist the elderly manage with
COVID-19 (Onwumere et al., 2020).
The Philippines, which will become an ageing nation by 2030, has needs to
respond its existing Expanded Senior Citizens Act to go further than discounts on
purchases and social services and instead focus on delivering holistic healthcare to
Filipino seniors (Kakihara, 2021).
According to Lloyd-Sherlock et al. (2021), despite the worldwide pandemic
detrimental impact on older individuals, age-disaggregated statistics are required to refute
ageist neglect and highlight its detrimental implications.
In the Philippines, Local Government Units and development organizations began
prioritizing activities that protect the most vulnerable from the spread of the disease,
including lower-income urban residents. Reports from health officials suggested that
residents in dense urban communities receive inconsistent information on the means of
transmission for COVID-19 and the steps to stay safe (WHO, 2021).
In response to the rising number of instances of COVID-19 in the Philippines, as
well as the growing threat of the various COVID-19 variations, the Philippine
government has been boosting immunization efforts among older persons (Baclig, 2021).
17
In the Philippines, key parameter correlate with subjective well-being amongst the
resident older persons. Psychological resilience, high self-rated health, and perceived
social support may all help to protect poor subjective well-being. To improve their
subjective well-being, we must enhance psychological well-being and social support
networks in the community. Therefore, the local government may adopt community-
based resilience measures and starts encouraging older people to take an active role in
their communities (Carandang et al., 2020).
Related Studies
A. Foreign
Following the initial proclamation of COVID-19 in China on January 20, 2020, Li
et al., (2020) looked into online posts made by 17 865 Chinese social media users.
Negative emotions such as worry, despair, and rage increased, whereas good emotions
and satisfaction with life decreased. The study of Xiao et al., (2020) investigated the link
between sleep characteristics and social capital as judged by the Personal Social Capital
Scale 16 in people who were isolated during the COVID-19 outbreak. Anxiety was linked
to stress and poor sleep quality, according to the researchers, and the combination of
anxiety and stress diminished the good impacts of social capital on quality of sleep.
The study was linked to the anxiety that was experienced by the people who were
isolated because of COVID-19. They experienced stress that can affect their emotions
and would lead to their negative thinking and worrying about their families. As a result,
they do not get enough sleep that can cause unhealthy living.
18
A study in the United States by Monahan et al., (2020) stated the COVID-19
pandemic has elicited both positive and negative responses among senior citizens. During
the pandemic, ageism has a detrimental impact on older persons' mental health because
they are undervalued, seen as a burden, and discriminated against. The virus, as well as
its social and behavioral consequences, appears to be disproportionately dangerous to
older people.
Furthermore, Tyrrell & Kadija, (2020) revealed that loneliness and social isolation
have real-world consequences for mental and physical health, especially among the
elderly. Individuals over the age of 60 may be more vulnerable to the effects of
loneliness. Social distance, which is designed to protect vulnerable people like the
elderly, may instead exacerbate the health and well-being of the elderly, who are
becoming increasingly isolated because of the epidemic.
This study focused on the mental and physical health of elderly people above the
age of 60. As a result, they implemented social distancing to protect vulnerable people,
especially the elderly. Their health was especially important, and aside for the children
under 18, the elderly over 60 were restricted from going outside their house to prevent
being isolated because of pandemics.
In the study of Williams (2020), he pointed out that professionals brought
attention to patient categories that may require personalized therapies in two
correspondences published in Lancet Psychiatry: elderly individuals and international
migrant workers as a result, given the vast Chinese aging population and their
vulnerability to COVID-19, older persons with mental problems may be facing more
discomfort.
19
This study focused on the elderly people who were facing mental problems
because of what they experienced in COVID-19 pandemic. The professional therapies
have published the Lancet Psychiatry, whom they monitored the mental problems of the
older people in China. Chinese elders were vulnerable to the COVID-19, and they
experienced mental problems, so that the professionals have needed to monitor the elders
to ease the discomfort that being felt by the Chinese elders.
In the study of Falvo et al., (2021), they performed an in-depth qualitative
research of older individuals' lived experiences during the first wave of the COVID-19
epidemic in one of Europe's most severely affected regions. Research results on the
complexities of unintended, adverse repercussions of outbreak responses on older adults
have important implications for local adaptations of public health measures, implying that
public health officials should interact susceptible population groups and encourage two-
way communications to notify and support communities.
The study conducted was related to the current study. The goal of this study was
to identify the experiences of the older individuals during COVID-19 pandemic. This
would result in the implications of the public health measures, implying the public health
officials were needed to communicate and give support to the communities. In addition,
the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic results in the importance of the health of the older
individuals in the country.
In the article of Luo et al., (2020), their study findings show the underline the
importance of sufficient isolation and preventive measures. Older adults are a diverse
demographic, which might explain the inconsistent findings in the research. Individual,
organizational, and institutional initiatives should be developed to guarantee that older

20
persons may retain social connections, familial ties, and the capacity to provide and
receive assistance throughout the present epidemic. Future research should concentrate
on the unique repercussions and requirements of more vulnerable older persons in order
to assure their inclusion in public health recommendations and policymakers' concerns.
To ensure the safety in public health of older adults, they need good facilities that
can prevent pandemics. In the study, the deficiencies in isolation would lead to the older
adults contacting a person with positive results in COVID-19. The recommendations in
this study were to develop facilities or places to assure the safety in the health of all older
adults who were vulnerable to this pandemic.
The study of Winship et al., (2021) revealed that lower income and education may
be risk factors for good coping practices after a crisis occurrence, according to their
findings. Identification of how people feel, and cope was shown to be connected to
perceived locus of control. More study on enhancing coping techniques as a potential
therapeutic avenue is needed.
In this study, lower-income and education would take risks in coping with a crisis
that occurs because of the pandemic. They need to enhance their learning to learn
techniques in coping with problems in terms of this kind of pandemic. Knowledge in this
kind of crisis would also help them to secure their needs.
The possibility of video consultations will assist the older population was
suggested by Lee et al., (2020) since a high-risk group, older people have been
specifically advised to stay at home during this crisis, as getting the virus poses
significant risks to them. Furthermore, elderly people with multi-morbidity may have
21
physical mobility challenges because of their poor health or frailty, making clinic
appointments both dangerous and inconvenient.
These studies were related to the current study. This study refers to older people
who have multi-morbidity. They were the ones who were vulnerable in this kind of
situation. Because of their weak immune systems, they were devised to stay at home
during pandemics. The virus would easily put them in a riskier situation; they need to
check every day using video consultation because of the anger and inconvenience outside
the house and inside the clinic.
Social isolation and loneliness are important dangers to the health and well-being
of older persons. Jecker (2020) prompted a suggestion to create a robot companion and
friends for socially isolated and lonely older people amid pandemic situations and in
aging communities all over the world. Sociable robots are a potential approach to
assisting the elderly, and we should develop and deploy them to that end.
The mental health of older people was the problem in this study. Social isolation
would lead to loneliness. And we know that being lonely would cause mental problems.
This study occurs to create sociable robots that have the potential to assist the elderly,
make friends with them, and develop companions with the elders. This was just a
suggestion according to the study. Protect the mental problems of the elderly is very
significant.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social interactions are made more difficult by
quarantine and physical separation. Nonetheless, as Cudjoe & Kotwal, (2020) pointed
out, the pandemic provides public health professionals with a rare chance to conceive,
22
develop, or implement creative solutions that might have a lasting influence on the health
and well-being of older individuals.
These studies were related to the current study. COVID-19 pandemic made us
control social interactions because it was risky to our health. Same with the physical
separation or social distancing, this was to avoid us from contacting other people and to
avoid being contacted by older people who were restricted to this pandemic. We need to
influence others to create a solution to pass through this kind of situation. As individuals,
we need to feel safe and secure from this COVID-19 pandemic.
In accordance with previous findings, Jackson et al., (2020) findings revealed
effective ingrained strategies to regulate caregivers' collegial relationships with older
adults, who aided in reducing stress for older adults. To lessen the occurrence of
the exposure and cross infection, care workers taken extra preventative measures until
activities resumed. The steps implemented were in accordance with the world health
organization or WHO guidelines, which included avoiding crowded meetings, reducing
physical contact, frequent hand washing, and routine inspections to protect the health of
all inhabitants.
This study refers to how to cope with stress for older adults. They need to think of
strategies to reduce and lessen the stress because of the pandemic. To lessen the
infections because of the pandemic, we need to avoid crowded meetings, reduce physical
contact with others, frequent hand washing, and daily hygiene routines. All of this would
help us protect the health of ourselves and all inhabitants.

23
B. Local
COVID-19 has a disproportionately negative impact on older Filipinos. As stated
by Buenaventura et al., (2020), even though the senior citizens only make up less than
8% of the population, they account for one-third of all COVID-19 cases and more than
half of all deaths, older people are more susceptible to COVID-19, which has a higher
morbidity and fatality rate. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially, older
Filipinos suffer much. In the face of an unprecedented crisis that developing countries
like the Philippines are ill-equipped to handle, joint efforts between the government and
business, in collaboration with other international aid from established countries and the
WHO, may be able to adequately manage the care of our sick older patients.
These studies conducted were related to the current studies. The psychological
effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the older people in the Philippines. This study focused
on their mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic caused them to suffer much. This kind
of pandemic gives the developing country like the Philippines a big effect in terms of
crisis. They need help from other countries to fight this pandemic. Because the older
people were not used to it, they need a serious check to manage their mental problems in
this kind of situation to prevent the deaths of older people because of mental health.
These researches focused on the developing country‟s health care facilities that
are also related to the current study. In this kind of pandemic health services were
important. They need a better to fill the deficiencies in this developing country. The help
that came from the other countries that were developed was an immense help in this kind
of pandemic. Health services that were given saved more lives and can prevent to
24
increase the cases of COVID-19 in our country. Having unity in our country can save us
from this kind of pandemic.
The risk of dying from Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) grows
significantly with age in all nations according to Tang et al., (2020). As a result, even in
nations with modest population aging, older persons account for the vast majority of
COVID-19 deaths Dowd et al., (2020). As an outcome, governments and scholars can
expect to pay a lot of attention to the pandemic's effects on this age category.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. Global public health initiatives have done nothing at
all to alter the existing situation, which is characterized by exclusion and discrimination
of the elderly according to Lloyd-Sherlock et al., (2020).
The studies were conducted related to the current study. The older people needed
to monitor from the COVID-19 pandemic, because majority of them were increased the
cases of deaths from coronavirus. Because of the increasing of cases, the government
implemented policies to protect the older people from COVID-19 pandemic.
Filipino elderly people in geriatric care facilities are lonely as a result of social isolation.
Isolation, a lack of social participation, and a deterioration in life pleasure are all
variables that contribute to reduced life satisfaction De Guzman et al., (2012). Aside from
healthcare problems, elderly individuals need social assistance from family and friends,
according to Shorey & Chan, (2021).
The researchers conducted studies that were related to current studies. Social
isolation was one of the problems of all Filipino elders because of COVID-19. They need
to isolate themselves to protect each of them, because of their weak physical and
emotional health. Pandemics give them a substantial impact when it comes to social
25
participation. Our elders want to socialize with their own family and friends, but because
of the pandemic, they need to isolate themselves from others. To fight for their physical
and emotional health, elderly individuals need social assistance coming from their family
and friends.
Coronavirus infection posed a risk to persons of all ages (COVID-19). However,
according to the World Health Organization (2020), older people are at a higher risk.
They are at risk of serious illness if they get the virus since many of them have
multiple comorbidities. Whereas during Enhanced Community Quarantine, senior folks
were sufficiently briefed of the rules and regulations in effect in Metro Manila according
to Siangco et al., 2021.
The studies were related to the current study. Metro Manila was under Enhanced
Community Quarantine because of continuing increase of cases from COVID-19. The
elderly people who comorbidities were the most affected by this pandemic.
The emergence of a new pandemic, for which no one had prepared, instilled fear among
the community. The scenario was most likely to cause alarm among senior citizens. Some
others interpreted it negatively since they were bedridden and unable to leave the home.
Those who had to work to support their families were the worst hit according to
Buenaventura et al. 2020.
According to Nicomedes & Avila (2020), a person's conduct or familial
orientation will influence how they behave in a chaotic situation. Some felt it was the end
of the world, while others said it was the beginning of the end. According to Morrow-
Howell et al., 2020, despite the problems posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis
may provide chances to improve the lives of older persons.

26
The studies focused on the current study. This study was for each family and
older people. Their learnings from this pandemic and how they manage to survive the
effects of COVID-19. Many speculations have been given by each of them, but the
important thing was that they were still alive and breathing because of what we
experienced during the pandemic.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF, 2020) developed minimum health criteria
and procedures, such as wearing masks and adhering to social distance norms. This
regulation is designed to prevent the virus from spreading and to keep people safe. The
rationale for this was that although an individual is asymptomatic, those in close
proximity to him might be at risk. Tyrrell & Kadija (2020) also suggested that because
older persons are more vulnerable to and impaired by COVID-19 recovery due to other
fundamental medical disorders, distancing from older friends, neighbors, and family has
become vital protection to safeguard them. Social isolation has put older people in danger
of loneliness, which has been associated with the deterioration in both physical and
mental health, as well as worry for senior citizen‟s well-being during this pandemic.
The studies were related to the current study. Older people were vulnerable to
COVID-19 because of their weak immune systems. In this virus, there were
asymptomatic, which means that the symptoms are cannot be seen or felt. In this way, the
older people were distanced themselves to protect them to become infected from
coronavirus. Social isolation and social distancing were implemented as per government
to avoid the increased of cases from COVID-19 in our country.
Furthermore, while 42% of elderly people have a pension, barely half of them
named it as their primary source of income, with similar percentages for people Christian
27
et al., (2019). When all these data are applied to the present predicament, it is also
apparent that the poor and women elderly seniors would be disproportionately affected.
While Binay (2020) stated that the crisis managers design measures to meet the
basic requirements of older persons; a sizable section of this vulnerable population has
been battling to live in situations made more difficult by the quarantine.
The focused of these studies were related to the current study. The pension was
one of the privileges of the senior citizens. This was given every month to help each of
them by law. When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in our country, this pension was not
enough to help our older people. Many of them are unemployed, and they are restricted
from outside their house. To give them support, LGUs (local government units) have
given social support and financial assistance to sustain their needs in daily living. It has
been an immense help to each of them with medical needs, and food, and to fight their
own lives from this kind of situation. Given the government's history of preventing
elderly people from leaving their homes after the relaxation of COVID-19 quarantine
regulations, Quitoriano, (2020) said that the rules imply that being a senior citizen equals
being vulnerable to COVID19. Arranza, (2020) believed it was also prejudiced, if not
discriminatory, to label all older people as impotent in the face of the COVID-19 owing
to their age, referring to such on-going constraints as pain for them.
These studies were related to the current study. COVID-19 pandemic gave a big
impact to the lives including the financial income up to the social activities. COVID-19
was not living in each of us. Because of the resiliency of people to the pandemic, people
need to have a mental health relaxation. Also, for the older people who have become the
28
center of the virus from their vulnerable health and had survived this pandemic, they need
to get relaxed their emotional and mental health.
In the present context of the COVID-19 situation, the study of Cahapay (2020)
indicated that the Philippines have a record of enacting numerous enabling legislations
through its constitution, republic acts, and presidential orders to ensure the general
wellbeing of older citizens. Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in
Canada, Béland & Marier (2020) explored existing policy legacies as well as potential
policy prospects. They concluded that the global crisis has opened the door for a true
"policy window" that might permit significant reforms, including increasing policy
funding for older people.
These studies were related to the current study. Because of what all individuals
and older people experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, all countries happened to
enhance and increase their policies for older people. The government opened its policy
funding to ensure the public health of each individual and the senior citizens.
Conceptual Framework
The objective of this research was to narrate and analyze the lived experiences of
the senior citizens amidst pandemic in Tarlac City in terms of describing the
demographic profile of the senior citizens in Tarlac City along with their age, sex, civil
status, educational attainment, health status, financial status, social support since they are
one of the most vulnerable groups in this time of pandemic.
This study focused particularly to the senior citizens. As a result, the identified
prevailing problems faced by the senior citizens were analyzed and made use as
29
guidelines in suggesting intervention solutions that may solve the prevailing problems of
senior citizens in amidst pandemic in Tarlac City.
Lastly, this also includes the implication of the study to Public Administration in
in order to define the aim of this research study.
Profile of the
Senior Citizens
 Age
 Gender
 Civil status Experiences of Proposed
 Educational Senior citizens in Intervention and
Attainment Tarlac City amidst Implication of the
 Health Pandemic in Tarlac Study to Public
Status City Administration
 Financial
Status
 Social
Support
Problems Encountered
Figure 1. Paradigm of the Study

30
Chapter 3
METHODS OF THE STUDY AND SOURCES OF DATA
This chapter presents the research technique, subjects of the study, data collection
method, and the statistical analysis of the collected data.
Research Design
The researchers utilized different research methodologies to be able to answer the
research objectives. The study evaluated the lived experiences and difficulties of elderly
persons in Tarlac during the pandemic. It may be used to conduct qualitative surveys and
find survey solutions, particularly for the participants.
A descriptive research design was used in this research study. Descriptive
research design was chosen as the methodology of inquiry to study the lived experiences
of senior residents in Tarlac City during the pandemic, with thematic content analysis
utilized to identify and evaluate data.
The researchers continued this descriptive approach throughout the research, with
an on-going reflection written in a reflective research record that includes notes made
throughout data collection. For the reason that the investigation was focused on the
substance of reality, the researchers are able to exclude any preconceived notions and
avoid bias through this research design.

31
Research Locale
Figure 2. Map of Tarlac City
This study was conducted in Tarlac City which is a component city in Tarlac
Province, which is landlocked and serves as the capital of Tarlac province. Tarlac City is
divided into 76 barangays and covers a land area of 274.66 square kilometers (106.05
square miles), accounting for 9.02 percent of Tarlac's total area. The population was
385,398 according to the 2020 Census. The study focused on the experiences of senior
citizens in Tarlac City during the pandemic.

32
The respondents were interviewed through limited face-to-face or phone calls,
and online interview with the help of the Google form to answer the questions that the
researchers provided to gather data that they needed for their study.
Participants of the Study
The researchers‟ target respondents were 15 Senior Citizens within Tarlac City
and from various Barangay, who are the most vulnerable during this pandemic. Selected
Senior Citizens shared their experiences through the help of questionnaires and interview
guide.
Methods of Gathering Data
The researchers employed two (2) tools in terms of instrumentation: (1) an
interview and (2) interview guide.
Interview. A face-to-face dialogue or other way of acquiring information is
referred to. It consists of an Interviewer, who conducts the conversation by asking
questions of the Interviewee, or the person who replies to the questions. This was also
done by the researchers to double-check the responses obtained from the respondents.
Interview Guide. A research instrument that comprises of a sequence of
questions based on the study's problem or concerns, as well as prompts, with the goal of
gathering information from respondents. It is further limited by the need that respondents
read and answer to the questions. The interview guide was created by the researchers for
the selected senior citizens in Tarlac City.

33
Ethical Consideration
The researchers guaranteed all participants that they were fully informed about
the examination. The participants are well informed on who can access the evaluation and
how the data„s were used. They are oriented that all information that was collected was
safe and confidential; and did not bring any harm to the participants.
Statistical Treatment
Tables were used to tally and categorize the data collected in order to make it
easier to display. Following that, they were subjected to statistical analysis, including the
following:
Frequency. A frequency distribution is a chart that shows all of the different
values of a variable together with the number of times they appear. A frequency
distribution, in other words, describes how frequencies are spread over values. The
majority of the time it is used to summarize categorical data.
Percentage. It is just a small part of the total. The percentages were computed for
the data presentation to show the degree of assessment among respondents.
P= f ÷ N x 30
Where: P means percentage
f signifies the frequency of replies
N referring to the overall number of respondents
Ranking. When the data is sorted, the numerical or ordinal values are replaced by
their rank. This was used to indicate how the item was related to the study's group. The
data was organized numerically from highest to lowest.

34
Chapter 4
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This chapter presents the collected data through qualitative methods of data
gathering. The results were organized through illustrative presentation in relation to the
study‟s stated research questions, with related analysis and generated interpretations.
1. Demographic profile of the senior citizens in Tarlac City
Older people are more likely to have underlying long-term health problems. A
person's immune system weakens as they age, making it more difficult for older people to
fight infections. The researchers analyzed the data gathered from the 15 senior citizen
respondents in various barangays within Tarlac City.
1.1 Age of the Senior Citizens
Data gathered shows that 7 or 46 % are with the age bracket of 60 years old – 65
years old, 4 or 27% are with the age 66 years old – 70 years old, 3 or 20% are in the age
bracket 76 years old – 80 years old, while only 1 or 7% aged 71 years old – 75 years old
age bracket, showing that there are more senior respondents from the age 60 years old –
65 years old age bracket who participated during the study interview process.
Someone who was retired and above the age of 60 or 65 was referred to as a “senior
citizen.” That could be because, in most industrialized Western countries, older adults
can usually begin receiving social assistance programs depending on their age around the
age of 60 or 65.
The Philippines' population was estimated to be over 103 million people, with
fewer than 5% of those 65 and older. The Philippines' age structure now matches with
35
those of several other developing nations, with a larger ratio of younger Filipinos than
elderly Filipinos. If someone is already past middle age, they may be referred to as
„elderly,” a phrase that connotes frailty or ill health. In this research, it shows that from
the data gathered, aged 60-65 had the most responses, because many of them lost their
jobs when the pandemic was experienced.
Table 1
Age of Senior Citizens
Age f % R
60 years old – 65 years old 7 46% 1
Total 15 100%
1.2 Gender of Senior Citizens
Table 2 shows the result of the survey on gender and shows that most of the
respondents are Female and has a Frequency of 11 or 73% (rank 1). While Male has a
frequency of 4 or 27%. The table shows that there were more Female respondents who
actively participated during the interview.
According to the Census of Population 2015, of the senior citizens in Tarlac City,
female got 56% of population, while male got 44% out of the 116,776 senior citizens in
the city of Tarlac.. In addition, for every 100 females there were 79 males in sex ratio.
36
This explains why female has the most response and got the highest frequency in this
study.
Table 2
Gender of Senior Citizens
Gender f % R
Female 11 73% 1
Male 4 27% 2
Total 15 100%
1.3 Civil Status of Senior Citizens
The results on civil status are shown in table 3 wherein, the majority of senior
citizen respondents in Tarlac City are married with frequency of 7 or 47%. Furthermore,
the frequency of 6 or 40% is those senior citizens who are already widowed.
Lastly, there is only a frequency of 2 or 13% senior citizens who are separated.
According to the 2000 PSA census, three out of every five older persons were
married. Females were more likely to be single, widowed, divorced, or separated than
males were to be married or in a marital arrangement. This is why most of the
respondents are married and got the highest frequency in the survey.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people all over the world. Large-scale
social restrictions were enforced in several countries, including the Philippines because
marriage has been shown to improve an individual‟s quality of life (QOL).

37
The researchers wanted to see how people fared under the COVID-19 pandemic‟s
large-scale social restrictions. Married people have the most response in this study,
because many of them got affected by their business because of the pandemic.
Table 3
Civil Status of Senior Citizens
Civil Status f % R
Married 7 47% 1
Widowed 6 40% 2
Separated 2 13% 3
Total 15 100%
1.4 Educational Attainment of Senior Citizens
Data gathered from the survey is shown in Table 4. The educational attainment
that most of the senior citizens were high school graduate with a frequency 8 or 55%,
then there are 5 or 33% who graduated in Elementary then in College and Vocational got
the same frequency of 1 or 7%.
In this study, senior citizens who graduated high school got the highest
educational attainment in Tarlac City. It explains that their life during their youth was
never easy because of poverty and financial problems that was why they were not able to
continue their studies until college and find a job instead to support their family‟s needs.
Seniors with a lesser degree of education are more likely to die while senior citizens who
completed higher education were connected with improved subjective well-being across a
variety of contexts, but senior citizens who completed lower education were not.
38
Table 4
Educational Attainment of Senior Citizens
Educational Attainment f % R
High School 8 55% 1
Elementary 5 33% 2
College 1 7% 3.5
Vocational 1 7% 3.5
Total 15 100%
1.5 Occupation of Senior Citizens
Shown in Table 5 is the distribution of respondents according to their occupation.
In a clear view, the housewife and the caretaker/helper had the same frequency of 3 or
20%, while those who worked as a vendor and sewer have the same frequency of 2 or
13% out of 15 respondents.
Lastly, other occupations like jeep driver, self-employed, farmer, transient owner,
and unemployed had a frequency of 1 or 6.8% of the total percentage of the survey result
on occupation. These are the occupations of the 15 senior citizen respondents of the study
in Tarlac City before the COVID-19 pandemic started.
In this study, housewife and caretaker/helper got the highest occupation from the
respondents. Because some of the senior citizens were not able to do a job that was not
capable to their ages. Senior citizens‟ physical bodies were weak so that they needed a
job who did not affect were not physical body.

39
Elderly employees did have stressful circumstances at work and at home, but
tools such as prayer and social support helped them cope with all of those observed
pressures. They need social activities that would help to maintain their health from
physical to emotional needs.
Table 5
Occupation of Senior Citizens
Occupation f % R
Housewife 3 20% 1.5
Caretaker/Helper 3 20% 1.5
Vendor/sari-sari store owner 2 13% 3.5
Sewer/dressmaker 2 13% 3.5
Jeepney driver 1 6.8% 3.8
Self-employed 1 6.8% 3.8
Farmer 1 6.8% 3.8
Transient owner 1 6.8% 3.8
Unemployed 1 6.8% 3.8
Total 15 100%
Few of the respondents said that the pandemic made a significant impact on their
jobs, the implementation of quarantine guidelines because senior citizens are not allowed
to leave their house; they will not be able to work because of the prevailing quarantine
guidelines unless they have been fully vaccinated against covid-19.

40
Senior individuals are more likely to endure severe decreases in financial well-
being, exacerbating economic gaps that persisted for the majority of their employment.
Senior citizens' financial stability is a serious concern.
Table 6
Health Status of Senior Citizens
Health Issues f % R
Hypertension 6 43% 1
Healthy 4 29% 2
Diabetic 2 14% 3
Hearth Disease 1 7% 4.5
Eczema 1 7% 4.5
Total 15 100%
1.6 Health Status of Senior Citizens
Most of the senior citizens are affected by the pandemic they are restricted to go
outside due to their immune system, because of their age they are prone to get infected of
COVID-19, most of the respondents due to their age they are experiencing some health
issues like hypertension so according to the National Institutes of Health.
Hypertension is "a common illness in which blood flows at higher than normal
pressures through blood vessels, or arteries." When the pressure against by the artery
walls is too great, hypertension develop, which might result in a heart attack or stroke.
Age, obesity, smoking, and stress have all been related to it. Since it causes an added
pressure on the heart and blood vessels, hypertension is considered as such silent killer.
41
Based on the distribution of respondents in terms of health status, it clearly shows
that more of the senior citizens has a hypertension with a total frequency of 6 or having a
percentage of 40% based on our research the Hypertension, especially in the elderly, is a
serious risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Furthermore, the most common cause of hypertension among senior citizens is
diabetes. This is the major cause of hypertension in adults of all ages, including senior
citizens. Diabetes affects around 14 million seniors aged 65 and beyond. High blood
pressure is twice as common among diabetics, while a frequency of 4 or 27% are healthy
senior citizens according to the data gathered. In addition, there are senior citizens who
are suffering from diabetes with a frequency of 2 or 14%.
Lastly, other health issues such as heart disease, Eczema, had a same frequency of
1 or 7%. These are the health issues of the senior citizens respondents in Tarlac City who
participated during the study interview
1.7 Social Support
Giving a social support to the Pilipino people and senior citizens is one of the
solutions of the Government to sustain the basic needs of the people it was either food
pack/Groceries/medicines or the SAP so during the country's quarantine, the Philippine
government proposed a social protection program to meet how COVID-19 affects
poverty in the Philippines. Through its Social Amelioration Program, the government is
providing emergency assistance and the senior citizens are one of the qualified to have
receive a social amelioration program.

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Based on the result in Table 7, majority of senior citizens in Tarlac City received
a social support like in the Food pack/Groceries/Medicines with a frequency of 8 or a
percentage of 53%. Furthermore, there are senior citizens who received a Social
Amelioration Program (SAP) with a frequency of 3 or 20%. In addition, 2 or 13% of the
respondents received social support for senior citizens.
Lastly, financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture, and respondent
that did not receive any social support had the same frequency of 1 or 7% out of the 15
respondents.
Table 7
Social Support
Social Support f % R
Food Pack/Groceries/Medicines 8 53% 1
Social Amelioration Program 3 20% 2

(SAP)
Social pension for Senior Citizens 2 13% 3
Financial Assistance from 1 7% 4.5

Department of Agriculture (DA)
Did not received social support 1 7% 4.5
Total 15 100%
Most of respondents stated that they do have to save for their pensions because of
the pandemic and the high price of basic commodities. They also recognized poor family
income as a source of difficulty for their families. They argued that they must put their
families' survival ahead of their pensions.

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Social support is a multifaceted concept it is the assistance from the government
such as food and money the senior citizens received. Majority of the respondents stated
that they received social support from the government; food packs and monetary
assistance and are satisfied and they appreciate the efforts of the Philippine government
in mitigating the effects of the covid-19 pandemic.
2. Experiences of Senior Citizen amidst Pandemic in Tarlac City
This refers to the experiences of the senior citizens covid-19 pandemic; how they
cope up with the pandemic and how the pandemic affects their daily living situations.
Interview guide questions were used to assess the experiences of the senior citizens
during and after the pandemic. Some of the respondents clearly stated that they are
having a hard time adjust during and after the community quarantine.
Case 1: The Industrious Farmer (high school graduate)
The first respondent is a farmer from Macabulos, San Vicente, who is between the
ages of 66 and 70, and had finished his secondary education. This industrious farmer used
to go out every day and visit his farm, where he would look at his rice harvests and go
about his daily farm chores. He also stated that the pandemic helped them and the other
farmers especially in the first year because they increase the price of rice they planted,
he‟s been more focusing to his farmer hand on hand. However, because of the pandemic,
he found it difficult to leave their home because it is not safe for them to go out because
of their age. He also cannot practice the types of exercises he used to, such as walking
and biking around their place. During the lockdown, the industrious farmer received
social support from the Government, and he also stated that the farmers received social
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support from the Department of Agriculture since they were part of the farmer
organization in his town “It's hard for me to adjust, especially seniors are not allowed to
go outside, instead of being able to exercise while walking or biking. I can't do it because
people like me are not allowed to go out” as he stated.
After the pandemic and after adapting to the new normal, he is coming back into
his life before the pandemic which is farming, his primary source of income, and yet the
farmer is recognized as a hero of basic needs. Therefore, despite the pandemic, he is
encountering problems on finances that can support his farming like in buying “abono” or
fertilizer.
In addition, he is having a hard time coup up with the changes in his daily
exercise because of the limited access and space, he just doing only those home exercises.
He said that they should also prioritize those Senior Citizens by providing workshops
about health and wellness virtually to keep them healthy. As he added that it is important
and does double precautions by adhering to those protocols provided by the government
and above all to be disciplined in the body and everything.
Case 2: The Dressmaker Mama of Tibagan (High school graduate)
The dressmaker is aged in the range of 66 years old – 70 years old and finished
her secondary education. This married woman from Tibagan, Tarlac City is still working
and accepting seamstresses such as uniforms and other repairs. According to her story, it
became their primary source of income to meet their necessities from her family for about
a decade aside dress making has also been part of her hobbies since she was young.
However, she further stated that since the COVID-19 pandemic started, her income has
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been insufficient due to the lower number of workers in the business industry and even
those uniforms from school have been stopped. It was challenging for her because of the
changing in lifestyle that bring anxiety to everyone.
The daily routine of the Dressmaker Mama has changed aside from quality time
with the family her hobby during the pandemic was planting plants and playing with the
pets which gave her a lot of fun in able to avoid thinking too much about the pandemic.
She said that they received enough relief goods and also financial assistance to
them to meet their basic needs during the pandemic. She also stated that during the
lockdown the major problems encountered that she was experiencing is that they are not
allowed to go outside because of their age, she was unable to visit her children,
grandchildren, and even relatives in the other barangay, due to the strict protocols
implemented during the lockdown. However, the dressmaker of Tibagan says that they
are still thankful to the Government for being responsible to the constituents, especially
in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. As she added, since they are into the stage of being
Senior citizens, she recommended the platform of chances to explore and go to such
unwinding places to relieve their stress from the pandemic “Thankful for the help and
assistance have given but hopefully this pandemic will disappear because we are also
struggling”.
Case 3: The Bagets Granny (Elementary graduate)
“I am satisfied with our government's actions, but I am having difficulty going out
because of this. My income is insufficient.”

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Before the pandemic started, the old woman who is 60 years old – 65 years old
from Baras-Baras, Tarlac City, was experiencing financial constraints. This Bagets
Granny had a sari-sari store where she was getting her daily necessities, her sales were
sufficient before the pandemic started, and her sari-sari store was one of great help to
support herself and her family in daily needs. This bagets granny finished her Elementary
education. However, when the lockdown hits, the old woman said she had a hard time
adjusting to her daily life. She continue selling any sari-sari items, but due to the
pandemic, she was able to close her store because of the two reasons which were (1) she
couldn't get out to buy any grocery supplies for her store due to the scheduled time of
market and (2) because people or neighbor are chosen to stock their own rather buy
outside since they are also tight from their budget and limiting their expenses. Therefore,
some other still buying from here but it‟s not continuous unlike before until she decided
temporarily to close her sari-sari store. In addition, she said that during the start of the
lockdown she received social support from the Government like financial assistance and
relief goods that has been a big help to them to survive during the lockdown.
After the lockdown, her source of income has been also changed she was doing
extra laundry for her neighbors and occasionally therapist to support the daily expenses
and little by little her sari-sari store will be raised again. She also encountered some
problems like financial problems since her store closed and the income was loosened
another thing was she cannot buy goods because senior citizens are not allowed to go
outside. She is also thinking of budgeting to support her basic needs.

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As she recommended, aside from the SAP or Social Amelioration Program they
can also provide financial assistance to the senior citizen because during the lockdown
and even this time, others still no longer receive their allowances of 500 monthly.
Case 4: The Business Minded Granny (elementary graduate)
A business-minded granny from San Isidro, Tarlac City who is 60 years old – 65
years old and a widowed said that her small business of smoked fish or tinapa was at its
peak before the pandemic happened, the production starts every 11 pm up to 5 am. She
hired a lot of workers so that they could help them by giving them a job. It was a good
business for her because they have the opportunity to supply the wet market in the City of
Tarlac. As time went by, the pandemic happened. As a small business owner, she thinks
of a lot of ways on how her family can survive or continue her business amidst the
pandemic, but the pandemic gets worse as the days go by. Her employee does not want to
work for the reason that they are afraid to get infected by the said virus, especially in the
wet market. She convinced her sons to do the work and sell the remaining stocks of
smoked fish at the market.
The pandemic changed and destroyed a lot. Eventually, she was forced to close
her small business temporarily because no one wanted to attend to work. She just gave
the remaining stocks to other relatives who are in need, to relieve hunger. However, the
money she saved for her business was used for personal purposes. In Addition, she
doesn‟t know how to get up again after the lockdown, on how to start again because
everything from her business capital was already spent and used to them survive the
effect of the pandemic. “There was a major adjustment, what I did after quarantine since
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it affects our business, lifestyle, and daily activities as well. Quiet challenging and
struggle are real but we need to move on despite the pandemic."
An owner of a small business experienced difficulties and problems encountered
in managing her employees, the people who work for her are in the middle of this
choices, between the needs and safety. She tries to continue the business but she ended up
with a decision to close the business temporarily. The owner was brave enough to face
the effects of this pandemic to her business, especially to her personal life. As a senior
citizen it‟s really hard for her to start again and to continue all those activities that have
stopped because of this pandemic. She was recommended to the local government unit to
focus and help those small and medium entrepreneurs by proving loans in small interest
to start up and build again their businesses.
Case 5: The Full time Mom (Highschool grad/ Sapang Maragul)
Being a full-time mother who was from ages 66 – to 70 years old and finished her
secondary education was came from Sapang Maragul. Which someone who belongs to
those who are the most restricted person during the pandemic, it is hard for a to continue
the life that she used to do before the pandemic. As a full-time mother, one of her tasks
and routines is to go to the market to buy the things that they need. According to her, she
woke up at 4 am every day to go to the market and after that, she went home to cook and
prepare food for her family. This is how simple her life is before the pandemic happens.
However, the pandemic has an impact on her everyday routines, such as going to
the market twice a week to buy food and medicine. When Covid-19 came along and
imposed a regulation that no senior citizens were allowed to walk outside, it had an
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impact on my work as a full-time mother. This pandemic provides psychological and
physical stress. And as the pandemic issue is still alive, she learned a new way of living
wherein she needs to wear a facemask and face shield every time that she will go outside,
she needs to adjust and learn to stay at home since they are not allowed outside. And also,
she learned to follow the protocols for her and her family to keep safe amidst this
pandemic.
After the lockdown, she gets back from her daily basis but not too much because
some establishments and stores are still closed. She was doing her job as a full-time Mom
as much as she wanted to be productive despite the pandemic. Therefore, the problem she
encountered was a lack of resources, and the unable to go outside and do some outdoor
activities which are part of her duties as a full-time Mom. As part of the proposed
solution, she recommends that senior citizens like her, should provide an adequate
solution to their lifestyle, particularly in health by providing free vitamins and other
medicines that help them to boost their immune systems served as protection, and keep
their body healthy to continue doing their job as a full time Mom.
Case 6: Super Grandmother (elementary level/ Binauganan)
A grandmother's love for her grandchildren will never fade away, according to a
76-80 years old vendor and finished her study at elementary level. She is residing at
Barangay Binauganan. She still wanted to go in the market to sell vegetables and fruits so
that she can sustain the needs of her granddaughters. According to her, she stands as a
mother to her four (4) grandchildren. She manages her small business so that her income
can something to be use in daily basis, even though her body was not just too strong just
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like the others, still she carries her goods on the top of her head and no matter how heavy
the load is, she keeps on moving forward and fighting for her grandchildren but suddenly
a pandemic happened and ruined everything.
The protocols for those minors and seniors were lifted. They are not allowed to go
outside because according to the study they are prone in the virus those senior citizen like
her. She does not have any choice but rather to stop selling her goods in the market that is
why it's really hard for her to adjust and continue the life as the lockdown goes by,
especially since she was served as the bread winner of the family. The pandemic had a
big impact on my sales because the strictness of the protocols further weakened the sales.
According to her, all the goods that are supposed to be sold in the market were
used, for their family to survive everyday. She able to learned planting vegetables in their
backyard wherein they get some for their daily needs.
After the pandemic, she continued striving on her journey in selling some goods
in the market, although her capital was tight unlike before because there was no other
way to survive especially for her grandchildren. She has experienced problems in which
aside from her source of income she does not have enough money to spend if the
lockdown continues that brings them physical and emotional stress. With regards to the
problems encountered, she wanted to address the situation of the Senior Citizen in terms
of financial support and medicines. Platforms for them to hear their voice as part of the
community because as much as they wanted to work they can no longer go outside due to
the protocol provided.

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Case 7: Pillar of the home (71 to 75yrs old/ Tibagan/ Elementary graduate)
The seventh respondent, aged 71 to 75 years old, had finished the elementary
education is from Tibagan. This Pillar of the home had stopped working when he became
a senior citizen, but when he was still young, he had experienced a lot of jobs like in
construction, selling some goods, and other home remedies. He was now in the golden
age and with the support of his family, he can still enjoy his life by going to some other
places to visit tourist destinations and other relatives. However, when the pandemic hits
the country, he stated that “I don't have a job, but I saw the suffering of my children,
especially when the covid-19 started, the rest of them lost their jobs. The hardship of life
has been experienced since the pandemic because they don‟t even know if tomorrow or in
the following day they can still have something to eat for their family.”
It was really hard for him to see that his children were going outside despite the
threat of the covid-19 pandemic. As he added, the COVID-19 caused him weight and
anxiety even at his age has no capability to work again, he was looking and absorbing his
children that whenever they went outside just to go for work, he doesn‟t have any
capacity to help them and yet his worried about the surge of covid-19 pandemic that
might get infected his children. In addition, for him covid-19 was the only caused of
poverty and lost their livelihoods which they are also affected. After the lockdown when
the government allowed 50 to 70% to operate other business, his children were able to go
back in their job and they are striving their ability to fight in poverty. Problems
encountered were already observed which the incapability to help their children, struggle
for looking their daily basis and lack of financial support. He was mentioned that, there
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should be platform to help the senior citizen despite of the pandemic that served as
motivational to leave in.
Case 8: Generous Owner (Vocational graduate/ San Roque)
The owner of the transient house from San Roque, aged 60 years old – 65 years
old, a graduate of vocational, and a widowed, said that the pandemic is a curse for her
because it caused too much damage to her life. Before the pandemic, she said everything
is okay. Her transient house was occupied by students from Tarlac State University and
even students from AMA College, she used to put a "no vacancy" sign on their gate but
because of the pandemic, everything has changed. The transient house is the major source
of income for her family; this is the only source to buy their necessities.
According to her, since the new normal way of learning is online, all of her
tenants decided to pack and go to their home due to the none face-to-face interaction of
learning, therefore, when the lockdown hits and her business began to collapse. All of her
daily routines like roaming around her transient houses, Zumba, and other activities
related to health got affected. There are times that she bargains the amount rentals of her
transient house just to have an income that she can use in her daily living “The pandemic
destroyed my life and business” she added. When it comes to her daily routine, she
converted her attention and time to planting trees in the backyard and taking care of
animals, in this way she can be able to get rid away from the stress caused by the
pandemic.
After the pandemic, she still hopes that everything is ok, where the face-to-face
learning and 100% establishment open can occupy those available spaces in her transient
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home. It was challenging for her about the situation. The problems encountered were
already mentioned above which were the source of income and unwanted to attend health
activities outside. In able to address this situation she was recommended about the life
expectancy and advance learning in cooping the new normal for the senior citizen,
wherein a platform should be provided for the senior citizen and some financial support.
Case 9: The Hardworking Widow (High school level/ San Vicente)
The Hardworking Widow came from the San Vicente range at the age of 76-80
years old and finished her study in Secondary Education. She can still manage to work as
being senior citizen however, due to the unpredicted event changed her perspective. This
hardworking widow was working as a maid or “kasambahay” wherein she was a task to
clean the area of the house, cooking, and laundering. Even though at her age considered a
senior citizen she can still do the household chores, age is just a number but as a strong
woman with and power capability to work; she can still do it on her own.
When the pandemic particularly lockdown she should no longer be employed or
regularly employed she can just go considering the fact as part-time, this widower with
no children always thinks about how she will survive the pandemic and all the expenses
every day, she has to work even if there's a pandemic for some, "Being a maid in the
middle of a pandemic is hard" as she added.
The pandemic made her job more difficult because according to her there was a
time that her boss would not let her work because they were also afraid that the maid
might have a virus and that is why a part-time job existed. After the pandemic, it was
time to go back again to her job as a maid, there is no other way for her to look for
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financial support, however, those problems and encountered such as lack of financial
support and unable to continue her work was a major concern. She was hoping at her age
of being a senior citizen, they can provide a platform for the mass hiring of a senior
citizen who is still capable to work or provide resolution to address the lack of financial
support for example by molding them into a small business.
Case 10: The Loving Husband (San Vicente/ 66-70 yrs. old/ high school graduate)
This Loving Husband is living in San Vicente, at aged 66 to 70 years old and had
finished his Secondary education. He is staying at home for about years because of his
age being a senior citizen. This loving husband is helpful in terms of doing household
chores and other minimal work at home. After a year, his partner passed away but his
memories and love were just like before.
When lockdown hits, he could not get out of the house for a few months. He was
bored and he does not even know what to do because he has done almost everything in
his daily routine. In fact, during the lockdown, there are some places that he wanted to
visit, especially my wife's grave but he can't do anything because it was forbidden or they
can‟t even be allowed to go outside. The special love and memories turn into stress
because he might think that they aren‟t with him anymore, you haven't visited him yet.”
The effects of the pandemic were different, in others, it caused hardship and
health concerns as a factor to consider a major problem encountered. But to a widowed
father, it caused extreme stress especially since he no longer had a life partner. Before the
pandemic, he could still go outside the house to have fun and visit his wife's grave,
especially when he missed it. But because of the pandemic, he could no longer do those
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so he said he felt the situation made him older now. As part of the problem he
experienced, he recommends the individual visit their loved one‟s grave free and opens,
because sometimes we can‟t deny the fact that their strong emotion was in there and
serve as inspiration despite this challenges.
Case 11: The Gumptious Woman (Tibagan/ 66-70yrs old/ High school graduate)
“Just having fun planting plants and vegetables in the yard.”
Pandemic is one that people always pray to end up because of its many bad
effects on peoples‟ lives. People accept the effects of covid-19 in different ways. This
Gumptious Woman is in the age of 66 to 70 years old residing at Tibagan and had
finished her Secondary Education. She is staying at home by helping her children in daily
household choirs and bonding with her grandchildren. She is also an enjoyable person to
watch in terms of moving around through traveling by visiting her relatives from the
other provinces wherein it helps from her to relieve some stress and happily enjoy herself
even they are in the senior citizen stage.
However, when the pandemic especially the lockdown started, there were bigger
changes in her lifestyle and it cause stress, difficulties, unable to visit other relatives, and
of course doing the exercises outside her home. According to her, as a mother “We need
to get up from our downfall because of the pandemic; we need to think of other ways to
survive”. Perhaps, she started to have this hobby which is planting plants and vegetables
in their backyard. It helps to relieve the stress caused by the pandemic and those
vegetables are the ones they use to survive their daily needs.
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After the pandemic, she was trying to adapt the new normal and when the senior
citizen started to allow her to go outside she was immediately traveling to go and visit her
relatives. She also continued planting plants and vegetables because she was happy when
she saw that there her plants came out with good results. As part of her experience, the
problems encountered were already mentioned above the stress due to the lack of
financial support, unable to visit other relatives and of course, doing the exercises outside
her home. Just like the other senior citizen, she was hoping and asking for any attention
from the local government unit to provide strategies and intervention to address that
problem the senior citizen for example allowances and medicines.
Case 12: The Believer (Baras-baras / 60 -65 yrs. old/ High school graduate)
The Believer Senior Citizen came from Baras-Baras who age in the range of 60 to
65 years old and a graduate of secondary education. An empowered and faithful woman
continued helping her children by assisting them in their daily routine and even taking
care of her grandchildren every time that her children were working. She was enjoying
herself with them and served as a stress reliever. This senior citizen was helpful as a part
of her duties being certified “Ilaw ng tahanan”
The devastating effects of the pandemic on their lives were extremely
unforgettable, but rather they had different ways to solve it. A big change from her daily
life was unbelievable. Others have done it through planting plants and vegetables, taking
care of animals, doing health activities, and so on. But for one family, they made this
pandemic a reason to get closer to our lord “We just took the time to pray night after
night so that the whole family would not get sick and survive every day” she added. They
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took time for their daily prayers to ask for God's help so that they would not be
abandoned by God, to help them survive every day, and above all to be healthy. They
believe that God created everything and he is the only one who can provide the solution
to everything.
After the lockdown she was to get a chance to travel to relieve her stress and by
bringing her grandchildren to malls and parks but still the regular basis of being certified
mothers was continuous. The problems she was experiences was the unable to go outside
and financial problem that is why she was also hoping for the financial assistance given
by the national government and relief goods every household during the pandemic.
Medical and Dental consultation was the major recommendation provided by The
believer Senior Citizen, because for her it was not easy to take care themselves by
bringing the stress about the pandemic in addition financial support can also be address.
Case 13: The Hawaiian Farmer (Elementary Graduate)
The 71 years old – 75 years old grandfather is from Tibagan and he graduated his
elementary education. He was an overseas Filipino worker in Hawaii as a farmer over the
past years. Tt was challenging for him to let go of his family just to work outside the
country, however, he is doing this job not just for personal matter but rather to provide
the needs of his family and to provide a good opportunity and future to his children.
However, because of his age, he decided to go back home to the Philippines and enjoy his
retirement together with his family “It is important to make the most of life every time
you are with your loved ones”

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According to this Hawaiian grandpa, he cannot go out much because of the
pandemic especially since he is a senior citizen, and can't walk without help, even if he
wants to go out. He used to work on a farm in Hawaii and now he just has to rely on his
pension to meet daily expenses. This grandpa reiterated that it is hard to be hospitalized,
it's hard to get sick, so you have to be healthy and take care of yourself. During the
pandemic, he was conscious and careful about his body condition can avoid sickness
because during the pandemic it‟s really hard to be hospitalized considering the fact of
virus-infected.
The problem encountered by this former Hawaiian Farmer was unable to go
outside even if he wanted to walk along the street just to do the exercise, he can‟t because
of the restriction of the government. it was challenging to shift into this kind of situation,
in fact after the pandemic and she got a chance to go outside, he immediately ask for
assistance from his grandchildren to support him in being able to do the outdoor
exercises. In the latter, he can‟t even provide any recommendations but rather his
grandchildren said that as per his grandfather's condition the local government or even
the barangay should provide medicines and vitamins for them to secure their health even
though they are now into the stage of being a senior citizen, in fact, they are vulnerable in
terms of affecting virus.
Case 14: The Seize the Day Lady (High school graduate)
This lovely old woman is 60 – 65 years old from Shangrila Homes Subd. San
Jose, Tarlac City, and had finished her secondary education. According to her, having
time with family and friends are important and there‟s no such as permanent, even if it is
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your work or how you live your life. She is a mother with a positive mindset; her daily
tasks is to help her children.
The pandemic affects her on the part that they need to be on a tight budget just to
pay the bills on time because working is only limited because the government imposed
protocols that can help mitigate the spread of the covid-19 virus. She is happy with the
government's actions against the virus and she can see that the government is doing its
best to lessen the effects of the virus and lessen the stress on the citizens. She also
believes that by having a positive mind-set, having the faith that everything will go back
to normal, and the hope that the virus will come to its end soon “Slowly getting used to
the new normal by doing things that the government tells us to do and follow.” she added.
However, despite this matter the problem encountered was lack of financial
assistance and unable to go outside since they are a senior citizen and one thing more was
unable to adjust in this time of adapting the new normal. It affects their physical, social,
and emotional stress problems. She wanted to address this matter, by advocating to push
through in proving the local government intervention to address like for example training
and seminars, medical and dental mission and vitamins for them in able to lessen their
stress physically.
Case 15: The Sales Granny (Elementary Graduate)
The sales granny aged 76 – 80 years old from San Vicente had finished her study
at the elementary level. She was a seller of vegetables before the pandemic in their
barangay and even in the wet market, she was in a stable income before the pandemic
because the profit she gained after selling vegetables is what she use to buy their
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necessities, to buy what they need in their house and saving some funds for the
emergency, however, when the pandemic happened she wasn‟t able to sell vegetables and
just relying on her children‟s support.
She said that we need to unite and follow the law or Health Protocols to be safe
and prevent disease in this Pandemic. She is just having fun by entertaining herself by
talking to her neighbors because if she will always thinking about her problem, she will
be more stressed “Life is hard because of the crisis we face today”. The pandemic
brought her an unexpected event, therefore, since she can‟t able to go outside because of
the government protocol which can‟t any longer authorize go outside those senior citizens
she can‟t able to sell some vegetables, and yet income was losing. She has saving but it‟s
not enough for them to support the entire family if the lockdown was continue.
After the pandemic, when some of the establishments are opened and senior
citizens are already allowed to go outside, she can back from her business as a vegetable
seller. She was adapting to the new normal as part of economic changes. The problem
encountered was unable to sustain the selling of vegetables for the reason of being unable
to go outside. She believed in the support from the government for the senior citizen and
hoped that there should be a place to empower the senior citizen by giving them a chance
to consult free medical assistance and provide capital assistance at low interest.
Respondents of the study stated that they were deliberately rearranging and
modifying their everyday routines in order to deal with the pandemic. Senior citizens may
face stress and everyday living issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic such as lack
of food and supplies, fear and worries about their safety and they are unable to go out to
buy their basic necessities. People have had diverse reactions to the pandemic, and it has
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affected them in different ways. Some people suffer from severe tension and anxiety,
while others succumb to depression.
There are also many who have been inspired by the pandemic to learn from their
past mistakes, such as failing to save money. There are also others that struggle to adhere
to procedures and the new normal ways of life. Everyone adjusted, even though it was
uncomfortable, and everyone attempted to get up. Those who are stressed find a means to
divert their attention; some care for animals, while others cultivate vegetables and other
plants in their yard. The government educated every Filipino and devised methods to
assist the Filipino people. SAP distribution, humanitarian commodities, free mass
immunizations, and other services were provided that our senior citizens are the first one
to receive these social supports that they are very pleased with the government actions.
Synthesis of Cases
The experiences of the senior citizens brought changes to their lifestyle during
and after the pandemic. It was evident that the effect of COVID-19 is general whatever
the standard and situation of life is. There are positive and negative effects that happened
to the senior citizens in the city of Tarlac. In fact, the adjustment was not easy, especially
for those who are still working despite their age and capability.
The respondents of the study stated that they were deliberately rearranging and
modifying their everyday routines in order to deal with the pandemic. Senior citizens may
face stress and everyday living issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic such as lack
of food and supplies, fear and worries about their safety, and being unable to go out to
buy their basic necessities. People have had diverse reactions to the pandemic, and it has
62
affected them in different ways. Some people suffer from severe tension and anxiety,
while others succumb to depression.
Table 8
Synthesis of Cases
Similarity of Case f % R
Lack of Financial/Supplies Support 6 40 1
Unable to go outside for Activities/Exercises 4 26.67 2
Loss of Job and Businesses 3 20 3
Physical and emotional stress 2 13.33 4
Total 15 100%
There are also many who have been inspired by the pandemic to learn from their
past mistakes, such as failing to save money. There are also others that struggle to adhere
to procedures and the new normal ways of life. Everyone adjusted, even though it was
uncomfortable, and everyone attempted to get up. Those who are stressed find a means to
divert their attention; some care for animals, while others cultivate vegetables and other
plants in their yard.
The government educated every Filipino and devised a method to assist the
Filipino people. SAP distribution, humanitarian commodities, free mass immunizations,
and other services were provided our senior citizens are the first ones to receive this
social support and they are very pleased with the government's actions.
There were cases which are relatively them considering their health, source of
income, status in life, and other activities that changed their daily basis. The following
are usual similarities in their cases.

63
The most similarities of the respondents were the lack of financial support and
even the supplies with the frequency of 6 out of 15 because due to their capacity and
golden age, they are just permanent to stay at home which only their children whose
working, therefore, they don‟t have enough money to support and even their supply of
medicines and vitamins. The biggest mistake was they didn‟t save any amount.
Second, they were unable to go outside for any activities or exercise with the
frequency of 4 out of 15 because most of them are doing the outdoor exercise activity like
biking and running, however, due to the implementation of the government wherein the
senior citizen were not allowed to go outside due to the virus in which they prone on that
cases. As much as they wanted to continue doing that, they just do some indoor exercises
in their backyards like stretching and Zumba which are capable for them.
Third, the loss of jobs and businesses was close with the frequency of 3 out of 15
respondents. This has something to do with their source of income where it affects their
loss of income. The pandemic brought economic breakdown and not all establishments
are open therefore, the senior citizen who can‟t able to go outside breaks their challenges
to buy and sell their goods preferably to the wet market. It has something to do with the
domino effect of losing their or temporary close their business it leads to loss of income
or job and of course unable to sustain the needs of their family.
Lastly, the physical and emotional stress with the frequency of 2 out of 15
respondents. All of the people are experiencing this matter, however with these two
senior citizens deeply thinking about what happened next after lockdown, are they still
healthy, or our of carried themselves. As much as loved ones wanted to take some rest
their physical and emotional stress was kick in despite difficulties in life.
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3. Problems Encountered by the Senior Citizens amidst Pandemic in Tarlac City
According to respondent‟s reports, the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying
mitigation efforts, particularly isolation, and unemployment have caused senior citizen‟s
emotions to cause stress and anxiety.
In the midst of the COVID19 outbreak in Tarlac City, financial worries and
challenges were at the forefront. The issue was analyzed based on the perspective of
Tarlac City's elderly, who have been put to test by the pandemic.
Table 9
Problems Encountered by Senior Citizens amidst Pandemic
Problems Encountered f % R
Financial problem/Loss of income 7 46% 1
Unable to go out 4 27% 2
Anxiety and Depression 2 13% 3
Lack of Food and supplies of other necessity 1 7% 4.5
Unemployment 1 7% 4.5
Total 15 100.00
Table 9 shown, that the highest percentage of problem encountered of the senior
citizens was financial problem/Loss of income with a frequency of 7 or 46%. Senior
citizens who are unable to go out got 4 or 27%. Other problem was anxiety and
depression there is 2 or 13% senior citizen who suffered from this. Next was lack of food
and supplies of other necessity is 1 or 7%. And lastly, problem encountered in
unemployment also got 1 or 7% out of 15 respondents.

65
The highest rank on the problems encountered by senior citizens during pandemic
was the problem on financial or loss of their incomes with the percentage of 46. Senior
Citizens are the most vulnerable; they can no longer do those heavy workloads, at their
age they are just depending on their saving or founded small businesses. But due to this
unexpected Covid-19 pandemic they consumed all their savings to provide their daily
needs.
The next on the rank of problems that got 27% was the senior citizens were
unable to go out due to restrictions because they are prone to get infected; their immune
system is at risk.
On the 3rd rank is the problem on anxiety and depression where 2 or 13% of the
respondent experienced emotional problem. The pandemic has given the senior citizens
emotional problem. The pandemic has given senior citizens emotional and mental health
problem. It affected them a lot because they can no longer do the things they used to do
before the pandemic happened.
On the 4th rank one or 7% of the respondent encountered was the lack of food and
supplies of other necessity during the pandemic. We cannot deny that food and other
necessities was the most needed during pandemic, because of the protocols that unable to
go out. Few of the citizens felt hungry, the support that came from the government were
not enough to sustain the needs of the family.
Lastly, the problem on being unemployed also falls into the 4th rank, where 1 or
7% of the respondent is employed but due to pandemic their employers decided to stop
the production that is why those senior citizens who are still employed got no choice but
to stop working, and it‟s really hard for this season of pandemic to go back at work.
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4. Proposed measures that would solve the prevailing problems/experiences of
senior citizens amidst pandemic
The researchers have proposed interventions that may solve the prevailing
problems of the senior citizens in Tarlac City.
Table 10
Proposed Measures
Problems Proposed Measures Objectives Strategies Expected

Encountered outcomes
Financial Improve the The objective of To conduct and Give the senior
Problem/Loss supplemental security this problem is to generate income citizens income
of Income income program lift all the senior programs that focuses stability and
citizens out of and address the suffice their daily
poverty. financial problems of needs.
the senior citizens .
Unable to go Home care support To ensure that the a) Develop a The local
out services for senior fragile ill and bed variety/package government unit
citizens ridden senior of senior citizens may provide
citizens in the caregiving home health care
community services, who and social
receive quality due to old age services to the
care, have difficulties senior citizens
family/kinship doing daily with their needs,
carers and home chores and are particularly
care volunteers in vulnerable. during the
their own homes b) Volunteers pandemic.
for the elderly should be able to
who have been organize and
abandoned or deliver home
neglected. care assistance
services to
elderly people in
their own homes.
c) Improve the
availability of
local
governments and
people to execute
policies for
senior citizen
organizations in
providing
services to the
elderly
beneficiaries.
d) Encourage
family
involvement in
67
Problems Proposed Measures Objectives Strategies Expected

Encountered outcomes
the planning and
implementation
of the plan.
e) Raise public
awareness and
care about the
senior citizen‟s
needs and goals.
Mental Health Put up a Community- To prioritize By empowering with All community
Problems Owned Solutions activities that the relevant messages leaders with the
(anxiety and Protect Health of protect the most about COVID-19 help of LGU
depression) Senior Citizens and vulnerable people prevention and giving officials may
Urban Families from the spread of them helpful provide training
the disease, resources like to all individuals
including lower- information and especially senior
income urban prevention kits, they citizens about
residents. were capable of minimum public
defending themselves health standards
and stay healthy. to ensure their
health when it
comes to this
kind of
pandemic.
Lack of Food Rapid assessment of a.) To ensure that a.) Adapting The elderly
Supplies senior citizens living the older people programs and provide people were at
situation were given help advocacy messages risk of being
for their daily to government. denied access to
needs. Program that may resources
b.) To protect the provide the particularly due
safety and health partnerships with the to restrictions.
of all older people Coalition of Services This program of
during the of the Elderly the government
COVID-19 (COSE), in may help them to
pandemic. partnership with ensure their
HelpAge safety because of
International. this pandemic.
Unemployment Kabuhayan Starter kit To give the senior The strategy of this The expected
citizens livelihood program is to give outcome of this
start up capital for senior citizens program is that
them to be livelihood starter kits the local
financially and promote the government may
independent and socioeconomic well- start immediately
get the senior being of the working with the
citizens involve in senior citizens in the kabuhayan starter
a long-term self- informal economy. kit to benefit the
employment senior citizens
through simple
livelihood
ventures.
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These intervention measures may provide confidence among all senior citizens in
Tarlac City regarding their health and financial situation. LGUs and the national
government have created initiatives to help them with health and financial issues.
Because of the pandemic that we already experienced and the associated sicknesses, all
these intervention measures would be beneficial.
In addition, these intervention measures may protect the participants and stay
healthy by receiving suitable COVID-19 prevention guidelines and crucial resources like
information and preventative kits. Local government units (LGUs) provided health
services that are particularly crucial in maintaining elders‟ safety at home and reducing
their COVID-19 exposure via individualized care and support.
5. Implication of the Study to Public Administration
The implication of the study to Public Administration is that the study is related to
the delivery of public service to the senior citizens. In addition to that the notion of
organizational management is one way to achieve the objective of delivering services to
senior citizens. Strong leadership, well-facilitated programs and services, and well-
connected leaders and constituents are all markers of leadership success in policy
execution by various government agencies and this study presents an overview of senior
citizens' situation, challenges, and concerns.
According to the national government, the Department of Health has obligations
and responsibilities to fulfill in collaboration with the LGUs in each province to meet the
requirements of older residents. They must give services that will assist in preventing
older folks from jeopardizing their health and those of their families.
69
The government has delegated case management to the Department of Health,
which is responsible for providing health care to everyone from the elderly to toddlers.
The government tasked the IATF, LGUs, and Police to confine the travel restriction to
the communities in order to prevent individuals, especially the elderly, from leaving and
roaming. Furthermore, in line with Tarlac City's health rules, older individuals may face
problems that cause fear and distress. This epidemic has posed increasingly significant
issues for those aged 60 and higher, not just in terms of health, but also in terms of mental
capability and financial inability to support their family.

70
Chapter 5
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The researchers were able to derive the following conclusions based on their
investigations. The results and findings offered in this chapter depends on the outcomes
and analysis of information acquired thru interviews.
Summary of Findings
1. Majority of the Senior Citizen in Tarlac City were female with a frequency of 11 or
73% out of 15 respondents.
2. Most of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City were aged 60 years old – 65 years old with
a frequency of 7 or 46% of the overall number of 15 respondents
3. Most of the Senior citizens in Tarlac City were married with a percentage of 47 and a
frequency of 7 out of the total number of 15 respondents.
4. Majority of senior citizens in Tarlac City had completed high school, accounting for
55 percent of the total number of respondents (8 out of 15).
5. Most of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City were still working despite of their age, 3 or
20% are caretakers and helper.
6. Majority of Tarlac City's senior citizens have hypertension, with 6 or 40% of the 15
respondents.
7. The Senior Citizens in Tarlac City were pleased and happy with the Government
action during the pandemic that most of them received social support such as Food
Pack/Groceries/Medicines with the total percentage of 60 and a frequency of 9 out of
15 respondents.
71
8. The COVID-19 pandemic gives a lot of experienced in the senior citizens, it affects
them mentally and emotionally aspects.
9. Majority of the senior citizen respondents clearly stated that they had a hard time
adjusting to community quarantine during the pandemic.
10. The respondents were restricted due to the pandemic, and it stated that they need to
entertain their selves to avoid stress.
11. Financial problems or loss of income was the major problem of senior citizens in
Tarlac City because of the pandemic with a frequency of 7 or 46%.
12. The government has a vital role in providing safety protocols for the senior citizens
who have been restricted due to the pandemic. The involvement of strong leaderships
to facilitate programs and services has a huge impact to implement policies to prevent
senior citizens in risking their health for their families.
13. Improve the supplemental security income program, Home care support services for
senior citizens, Community- Owned Solutions Protect Health of Senior Citizens and
Urban Families, Rapid assessment of senior citizens living situation and Kabuhayan
Starter kit were the proposed intervention of the researchers to address the prevailing
problems and lived experiences of senior citizens in Tarlac City.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn.
1. Majority of the senior citizens who responded in the surveys are females who
currently live in the City of Tarlac.

72
2. The senior citizens aged 60 years old and above in the City of Tarlac are one of the
most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of health issues.
3. The Philippine government implemented some protocols to protect the safety of the
people and the senior citizens; they implement a protocol that the elderlies are
restricted to go outside of their homes during the lockdown.
4. Ninety percent of social support or Ayuda were given to the senior citizens of the
City of Tarlac during the lockdown.
5. Most of the senior citizens in Tarlac City encountered some problems that can cause
stress and it can affect their daily living.
6. The COVID-19 outbreak had a severe impact on the populace, particularly the
elderly, who were barred from leaving their houses by the Philippine government
owing to their age.
7. Seniors are more prone to have unresolved long-term health issues. As people age,
their immune systems weaken, making it more difficult for them to fight infections.
8. Senior citizens are the city of Tarlac has received social support from the LGU (local
government units) during the lockdowns such as Food packs, medicines, and financial
assistance.
9. Senior Citizens in the City of Tarlac experience a lot during the Pandemic that affects
them to their daily living, in addition it affects them mentally and emotionally during
the first month of lockdown.
10. The main problem encountered by the senior citizens in the City of Tarlac is the loss
of income during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to their age they are not allowed to
go outside of their homes.

73
11. Senior adults in Tarlac City have not only faced challenges such as being unable to
leave their homes, experiencing worry and sadness, a lack of food or other
necessities. They have, however, had health issues such as hypertension, diabetes,
heart disease, and eczema.
12. The Government implemented a protocol to ensure the safety of Pilipino people in
COVID-19 pandemic this is the lockdowns, quarantine etc. the Philippine
government also implemented a protocol to restrict the Senior citizens to go outside
of their homes, this is to protect the health of the elderly people in the Philippines.
13. The researchers proposed medical mission programs in several barangays in Tarlac
City to provide older folks with the opportunity to receive free checkups even if they
are not permitted to leave their homes. During COVID-19, there is also a community-
owned program to preserve the health of Senior Citizens and urban families. This is
to protect the health of seniors and urban families. This is done to guarantee that they
have access. This is to ensure that people have access to resources such as
information and preventative kits. They were able to protect themselves and maintain
their health even during the pandemic.
Recommendations
The following recommendations were given based on the results and conclusions
of the study.
1. The Local Government may provide medical missions to different areas in Tarlac
City especially those in urban areas. This is to monitor the health and safety of all
individual especially the old ones.

74
2. The Local Government may provide also a medical mission to all indigenous people
who were located in the remote places to get free check-up for their safety and health.
3. The Local Government may provide trainings to all individual especially the older
citizens about public health standards. In addition to their program Community-
Owned Solutions Protect of Senior Citizens and Urban Families amidst pandemic.
This is to help them avoid the increased of cases from COVID-19.
4. The Local Government may concentrate on service delivery. This is to guarantee that
all senior citizens have better health.
5. Improve the supplemental security income program may help the senior citizens lift
all the senior citizens out of poverty by the conduct and generate income programs
that focuses and address the financial problems of the senior citizens .
6. The Local Government may implement a program like rapid assessment of senior
citizens living situation to ensure that the older people were given help for their daily
needs. This is by adapting programs and provide advocacy messages to government.
Program that may provide the partnerships with the Coalition of Services of the
Elderly (COSE), in partnership with HelpAge International.
7. The Local Government may provide kabuhayan starter kits to give the senior citizens
livelihood start up capital for them to be financially independent and get the senior
citizens involve in a long-term self-employment through simple livelihood ventures.
8. The Local Government may provide home care support services for senior citizens.
To ensure that the fragile ill and bed ridden senior citizens in the community receive
quality care, family/kinship carers and home care volunteers in their own homes for
the elderly who have been abandoned or neglected.

75
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Tyrrell, Caitlin J. Williams, K. N. (2020). The paradox of social distancing: Implications

for older adults in the context of COVID-19. American Psychological Association.
Vallejo, B. M., & Ong, R. A. C. (2020). Policy responses and government science advice
for the COVID 19 pandemic in the Philippines: January to April 2020. Progress in
Disaster Science, 7, 100115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2020.100115
Wang, G., Zhang, Y., Zhao, J., Zhang, J., & Jiang, F. (2020). Mitigate the effects of home
confinement on children during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Lancet, 395(10228), 3.
WHO. (2009). Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response: A WHO Guidance

Document. NCBI.
WHO. (2020). Regulation and Prequalification. World Health Organization.

80
Wigfield, A., Eccles, J., & Rodriguez, D. (2013). Narrative of Philippine Government
Strategy to Curb the Wuhan Virus (COVID 19) Pandemic. 404.
Wurth, M., & Honde, C. (2020). Philippine Children Face Abuse for Violating COVID-
19 Curfew. Https://Www.Hrw.Org/.
81
Appendices
82
Appendix A
Legal Basis
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
Appendix B
Request Letter for Interview
95
Appendix C
Interview Guide/Questionnaire
96
97
APPENDIX D
English Critique Certification
98
APPENDIX E
Turnitin Result
99
PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
Online Questionnaire Screenshots
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
Sending of Google Link to Respondents for the Interview Guide

107
108
CURRICULUM VITAE
I. Personal Background
Name: May Ann E. Dueñas

Address: Purok 7 Macatbong Cabanatuan City,
Nueva Ecija
Contact Number: 09551257946
Email Address: mayannduenas01@gmail.com
II. Educational Attainment
Tertiary: Tarlac State University- Main Campus

Romulo blvd., San Vicente, Tarlac City
August 2018- June 2022
Vocational: Provincial Manpower Training Center

Computer Literacy Program
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
April 2010- July 2010
Secondary: Eastern Cabu National High School
Elementary: Macatbong Elementary School

Macatbong Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
III: Work Experience
Golden Arches
Mcdonald‟s Romulo Blvd. Tarlac City
July 2012- March 2022
IV: Trainings/Certificates
CPAG online webinars with certificate

Public Speaking and Technical Writing- (February 2021)
Webinar on Leadership, Critical Thinking- (March 2021)
Governance amidst Pandemic- (October 2020)
109
VIII: Organization Affiliation
Junior Philippine Society of Public Administration – TSU Chapter

Member – 2018
110
Name: Danica G. Laroya

Address: 111 Purok Pinagpala Baras-baras,
Tarlac City
Email Address: d.laroya2389@gmail.com
Tertiary: Bachelor of Public Administration

Romulo Blvd. San Vicente, Tarlac City
2018-Present
Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Major in Eletrical Engineering
2006 – 2008
Secondary: Tarlac National High School

San Roque, Tarlac City
2002 – 2006
Elementary: Tarlac West Central Elementary School

San Roque, Tarlac City
1999 - 2002
Tarlac First Baptist Church School

1996 – 1999
Barangay Health Worker

Baras-baras, Tarlac City LGU/RHU8
May 2010-December 2013
111
21st Century Skills Course

TESDA Short Courses
August 27, 2021
Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum

Allison
October 2021
Virtual Assistant Course

Alpha VA Academy
November 2021
“Unleashing Leadership Potential: A Webinar on Preparing Student Leaders

in a Virtual-led World”
CPAG Extension Activity – Organizer

Member – 2018
Kaisa Women’s Organization

Member – 2021
112
Name: Mira Jane E. Pineda

Address: Sitio Bungil, Brgy. Sapang Maragul,
Tarlac City
Email Address: jmira4036@gmail.com
Tertiary: Tarlac State University- Main Campus

Romulo Blvd., San Vicente, Tarlac City
August 2018- June 2022
Secondary: Tibag High School

Tibag, Tarlac City
S.Y. 2012 – 2016
Tibag Senior High School Techvoc

Tibag, Tarlac City
Bread and Pastry Production NCII/
Food and Beverage Service NCII
Cookery NCII
S.Y. 2016 - 2018
Elementary: Sapang Maragul Elementary School

Sapang Maragul, Tarlac City
S.Y. 2006 - 2012
WORK IMMERSION
Primadeli Restaurant
Luisita Central park Hotel
Mang Inasal SM Tarlac

December 19, 2019 - March 15, 2020
Crew
113

TESDA Short Courses
August 27, 2021

Allison
October 2021

Alpha VA Academy
November 2021

Member – 2018
114
Name: Rhea Lynne M. Quintos

Address: Zone 3 San Isidro, Tarlac City
Contact Number: 0948-252-8104
Email Address: rlmquintos@gmail.com
Tertiary: Bachelor of Public Administration

2018 - Present
Bachelor of Elementary Education

2012 – 2014
Secondary: Cristo Rey High School

Cristo Rey Capas, Tarlac
2007 – 2011
Elementary: Cristo Rey Elementary School

Cristo Rey Capas, Tarlac City
2001- 2007
Cashier
Chowking F.Tanedo
September 2018 – April 2019
Seasonal Staff (Cashier)

Penshoppe Accessories SM Baguio
June 11 – July 11, 2018
Office Staff
Alcar Construction
Baguio City
115
February 2017- December 2017
Assistant Pharmacist / Secretary of Doctor

H-LINKS Pharmacy
Baguio City
July 2015 – January 2017

TESDA Short Courses
August 27, 2021

Allison
October 2021

Alpha VA Academy
November 2021

Junior Philippine Society of Public Administration - TSU Chapter
Member

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i

EXPERIENCES OF SENIOR CITIZENS AMIDST PANDEMIC: THE CASE OF

MAY ANN E. DUEÑAS

Republic of the Philippines

This thesis of MAY ANN E. DUEÑAS , DANICA G. LAROYA, MIRA JANE

ALFRED V. RIGOR, DPA

EDWIN T. CAOLENG, DPA

PATRICIA ANN D. ESTRADA, DPA IZELLE C. FRANCISCO, MPA

JOSHUA S. CAWIGAN, MPA

EDWIN T. CAOLENG, DPA

Title: EXPERIENCES OF SENIOR CITIZENS AMIDST PANDEMIC:

Researcher: Duenas, May Ann E.

Degree: Bachelor of Public Administration

experiences of senior citizens in Tarlac City in terms of describing the demographic

the senior citizens in Tarlac City amidst pandemic.

form and interview guide.

valuable comments andsuggestions for the improvement of this paper.

enhancement of this paper are very much appreciated.

To the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY to whom we owed everything in pursuing our

grace is never ending.

Every challenging task, necessities, self efforts as well as guidance of elders

renowned instructors in the College of Public Administrations and Governance.

TITLE PAGE ..................................................................................................................... i

1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND .......................................1

2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES ...................9

3 METHODS OF THE STUDY AND SOURCES OF DATA ................30

4 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF

Demographic Profile of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City .......................34

5 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND

1 Age of the Senior Citizens in Tarlac City ..................................................35

1 Paradigm of the Study ................................................................................29

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

disproportionate threat to humanity, especially to the lives, relationships, and well-being

coronavirus and its consequences on human health. Because of the scarcity of

higher mortality rates.

The government was under tremendous time constraints in devising policies to

administrative procedures and new types of coordinating committees to pass a flurry of

responsibilities in creating rapid crisis response capabilities. The COVID-19 worldwide

people, or senior citizens.

The coronavirus pandemic impelled governments to take immediate action to

particularly beyond age 65.

part of the population (Daoust, 2020).

to incorporate an emphasis on older people into various humanitarian responses, and to

elderly by concentrating on four primary areas of action.

Furthermore, as indicated in the research of study of Giallonardo et al. (2020) on

COVID-19 and comparable confinement measures, physical isolation and distance, in

originated. In terms of socio-cultural context, Italy was severely impacted by the

pandemic, and it differs significantly from the East European countries.

Prior to the virus outbreak, a substantial percentage of senior citizens engaged in

social activities such as visiting senior centers, participating in religious activities,

fragile seniors (Wu, 2020).

In the Philippines, the elderly is referred to as "senior citizens" described by

quality of life of older inhabitants, notably in the Philippines.

places limitations on travel (Rappler, 2020).

encountered by the senior citizens in Tarlac City.

The researchers are currently enrolled at Tarlac State University's Bachelor of

professional advisers from the College of Public Administration and Governance. As an