Palace says banning kids outside homes, including malls, in Metro Manila within powers of LGUs

December 3, 2020

Malacanang defended on Thursday the decision of the Metro Manila mayors to continue banning minors aged 17 below to go to the malls, saying it is their discretion, which is in accordance with guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

"So, the decision of the Metro Manila Council prohibiting 18 and below (in going to malls) is in accordance to the discretion that the IATF has given to the local governments," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a televised press briefing in Palawan.

The Metro Manila Development Authority has said  the mayors in the National Capital Region, through the Metro Manila Council, unanimously agreed to prohibit minor "mallers" after the recommendation of Philippine Pediatrics Society and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines to disallow their entry to commercial establishments and other outdoor areas, such as shopping malls.

The Metro Manila mayors sought for experts' opinion after Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano earlier said children could go to the malls provided they are accompanied by their parents and LGUs have issued ordinances on the matter.

Roque apologized to the parents who could have been excited to bring their children to the shopping malls in Metro Manila.

"Well, sorry but it is within the powers of Metro Manila mayors to impose this," he said.

He advised the parents to check the nearby areas which are under the modified general community quarantine and determine if children are allowed to enter the commercial establishments.

Roque stressed the need also to revive the economy.

We really need to revive the businesses gradually so that our fellow men will have the job," he said.

Metro Manila remains under general community quarantine until the end of the year. Celerina Monte/DMS