DILG secretary on reopening establishments for children: ‘Hindi pa rin’

Although local governments in Metro Manila have begun to discuss the possibility of allowing minors to go out amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it does not necessarily mean establishments for children have been given a go signal to resume operations.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año made the clarification during an interview on Wednesday’s “Unang Hirit” where he was asked if certain “negosyong pambata” have been allowed to operate.

“Sa ngayon hindi pa rin lalo na ’yung mga playground, nursery, hindi pa rin, kasi bawal pang lumabas ang mga minor,” Año said.

The DILG Secretary also emphasized that there has yet to be a final decision on allowing minors to visit malls amid the general community quarantine in the National Capital Region.

Año said Metro Manila mayors were still debating on the matter and that they would still need to have a discussion with the Philippine Pediatric Society as well as other health experts before coming up with a resolution.

“Noong Sunday nga lumabas ’yung proposal nila. Ang sabi natin, gawin ninyo ang inyong resolution at ordinansa kasi ang mga LGU talaga ang mayroong responsibilidad diyan. Sa ngayon nagsasagawa pa sila ng pulong dahil hati kasi ang mayors ng Metro Manila at kailangan isa lang ang stand nila,” Año said.

“Ang update natin makikipag-meeting pa sila sa Philippine Pediatric Society para magkaroon sila ng discussion. Based doon sa kanilang consensus, ang sabi nila hindi pa sila handa dahil Christmas, puwede ’yang ’di matuloy. At kung sabihin naman nila na pupuwede ganitong edad, papayagan natin, accompanied by guardians or parents, we can adopt it,” he added.

Año on Monday said minors could visit malls provided that they are accompanied by their parents. He clarified that a local ordinance was needed before this would be enforced.

The Department of Health (DOH), however, thumbed down the DILG’s recommendation to allow children 7 to 14 years old to go to malls if they are accompanied by their guardians.

Several children’s recreation establishments in the country including KidZania and Jump Yard had announced their closure earlier this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Philippines’ COVID-19 cases increased to 432,925 on Tuesday, the DOH reported. Of this number, 398,782 have recovered, while 8,418 died. – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News