The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has the power to approve or reject the proposal of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) to adjust the age of individuals allowed to leave their homes to 18 to 65 years old from the current 21 to 60 years old.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said this on Monday.
However, Año disagreed with the proposal that the Omnibus guidelines exempt those who are 21 years old and below from these restrictions “if they are going to work.’’
Año said “No, marami yan masyado (who will go out) (No, there are too many),’’ Año said.
He said it is most unlikely if the excuse of those concerned in going out of their homes is education-related.
The DILG has consistently aired their appeal for the public, even those in the 21 to 65-year-old age bracket to stay home as much as possible to prevent the surge of COVID-19.
On Monday, the Metro Manila mayors considered a proposal to allow residents aged 18 to 65 years old to leave home for essential purposes.
But, MMC head and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez rejected calls to shorten curfew hours, currently from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Individuals classified as Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) are exempted from the curfew hours.