As Metro Manila mayors rule that minors will not be allowed inside shopping malls, Malacañang advised parents to look for nearby areas under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) that they could visit with their children especially during the holidays.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Metro Manila mayors unanimously decided to prohibit children from entering malls after the recommendation of health experts.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In his Thursday presser, Roque said that the decision was really up to local government units (LGUs). The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has given LGUs the authority to decide on the age group of people allowed to go outside their homes.
"Well, sorry po. It is within the powers of Metro Manila mayors to impose this," he said.
"Yung naging decision po ng Metro Manila Council na pagbawalan muna ang 18 and below, 'yan naman po ay sang-ayon din sa discretion na binigay ng IATF sa mga lokal na pamahalaan (The decision of the Metro Manila council to prohibit those 18 years old and below is according to the discretion given to LGUs by the IATF)," he added.
According to Roque, families can visit nearby MGCQ areas instead as long as they comply with the requirements set by the LGUs.
He added that visiting MGCQ areas will help the economy.
"Ensure na lang po siguro na kung merong malapit na MGCQ area, tignan niyo kung ano yung status ng pagpasok ng mga kabataan sa malls (Let's just ensure that if there is a nearby MGCQ area, check if they are allowing children in malls)," he said.
"Kung allowed, pwede naman pong bumisita dahil hindi na rin po nire-restrict ang GCQ at MGCQ (If it is allowed, you can visit them because GCQ and MGCQ areas have lesser restrictions)," he added.
"Kinakailangan na nga po natin buhayin na natin ang mga negsyo, unti-unti, nang magkaroon na ng hanapbuhay ang ating mga kababayan (We need to gradually revive the businesses so people can work)," he continued.
In a media briefing, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia said that while Metro Manila mayors reject the proposal to allow minors inside malls, children will be allowed in such establishments for essential trips like medical appointments.
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