Malacañang appealed to the public to not bring their kids to Manila's man-made dolomite beach on Roxas Boulevard, saying children are still not allowed to leave their homes unless for essential purposes.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after thousands of people flocked to the dolomite beach over the past few weeks and completely ignored physical distancing rules set to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In his press briefing on Monday, October 25, Roque reminded the public that kids are not allowed to leave their homes yet for leisure activities.
"Ang mga bata, talagang for essentials lang po na dapat lumalabas ng kanilang tahanan. So, hindi pa po pwedeng magpasyal-pasyal ang mga bata (Kids should only leave their homes for essential purposes, so they cannot be loitering around)," he said.
"Nananawagan po kami sa ating mga kababayan: pandemya pa po. Bagama't bumababa po ang mga kaso natin, eh nandiyan pa po si COVID-19 so 'wag tayong magpabaya (We appeal to the public: we're still in a pandemic. Even though the number of cases is decreasing, COVID-19 is still here so let's not be careless)," he added.
Roque said the dolomite beach was created for everyone's enjoyment but said it should not be a reason to make the country's COVID-19 situation worse.
"Talaga naman pong ang dolomite ay for the enjoyment of everyone. Pero 'wag naman pong maging dahilan 'yan para magkaroon tayo ng superspreader event (The dolomite beach is for everyone's enjoymnet but it should not be a reason to have a superspreader event)," he said.
He reminded the public of the government's COVID-19 battle cry "Mask, Hugas, Iwas" which urges the public to always wear a face mask, wash their hands properly, and practice physical distancing.
Roque likewise reminded the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19 whenever they can.
Meanwhile, the Palace official urged the police in Manila to enforce physical distancing protocols strictly.
"Siguraduhin po natin na lilimitahan natin ang numero ng bibisita sa beach na 'yan nang sa ganoon ay magkaroon ng social distancing (Let's make sure that we limit the number of people visiting the beach so we can have physical distancing)," Roque said.
Last year, Roque said the white-sand dolomite beach in Manila Bay can actually help improve the public’s mental health as it will distract them from the global health crisis.