Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año strongly opposed Thursday the entry of minors in Metro Manila malls even if accompanied by adults as the risk of a spike in COVID-19 remains a major concern.
However, Año said: “I will respect the position of the (NCR) (National Capital Region) LGUs (local government units) as long as they are compliant to the provisions approved by the President and the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force).
“But the NCR mayors have yet to come up with a resolution of a common stand,’’ Año said in an interview on Wednesday.
But on Thursday, the 17 Metro Manila mayors unanimously agreed to ban children aged 17-years-old and below from leaving their residence.
The members of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) made the decision based on the recommendation of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) to prohibit minors to go out of their homes and enter shopping malls.
Echoing Año’s sentiment, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III added: “There’s no IATF resolution yet allowing minors to go out. It’s still subject to discussions and should have resolutions/ordinances from the LGUs, specifically for GCQ (general community quarantine) areas in Metro Manila.’’
He stressed that numerous discussions on health protocols for the coming Christmas season are ongoing.
“Reunions are discouraged especially in GCQ areas where gathering of more than 10 people may be a violation of health protocols. Christmas celebrations may be among ‘immediate’ family members within the household.’’
Although the public are looking forward to the yearly holiday season tradition, Densing maintained that sacrifices should be made “for this season to be able to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The people’s cooperation in following the health is very important.’’
In a news briefing with President Duterte on Nov. 30, Año said that allowing minors to leave their residence in the midst of the pandemic will be based on the guidelines of the ordinances imposed by the Metro Manila mayors and other areas placed under the general community quarantine (GCQ).