Minors still not allowed to go out in NCR, says MMDA exec

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia on Thursday announced that minors are still not allowed to go out in Metro Manila, which is still under general community quarantine.

At a virtual press briefing, Garcia said this was agreed upon during a meeting of Metro Manila mayors on Wednesday.

"Unanimous po, 17-0, the mayors will not allow minors to go out. That's why 'yung ating GCQ guidelines na 18 to 65, 'yun pa rin ang papayagan lumabas," Garcia said.

"Of course sabi ko nga mayroong pro, mayroong against pero at the end of the day, noong nakita nila 'yung opinion ng experts, talagang nirerespeto natin 'yan," he added.

Later at a news briefing in Palawan, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the decision of the Metro Manila mayors was consistent with the local governments’ authority to adjust age restrictions during community quarantine.

"Iyong naging desisyon ng Metro Manila Council na pagbawalan muna ang 18 and below, iyan naman po ay sang-ayon din doon sa discretion na ibinigay ng IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases] sa mga lokal na pamahalaan," Roque said.

Simbang Gabi

In a separate news briefing, the MMDA official said minors are also prohibited from attending Simbang Gabi or dawn Masses, which will run from December 16 to 24.

"Definitely po bawal din po sa Simbang Gabi,” Garcia said at the Laging Handa briefing. “Pero ang good news naman po sa Simbang Gabi ay in-adjust na po natin ang curfew ng 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. na lang para bigyang daan ‘yung Simbang Gabi.”

Garcia, however, said minors aged 17 and below could go out only if for essential purposes or if they would be having physical exercises.

"Actually, pinayagan 'yung exercises, it's part of essential 'yan. Kaya nga it's subject also to the interpretation of LGUs, may mga ordinansa sila. Pero 'yung exercise po allowed 'yan," Garcia said.

"Ang di lang allowed sa exercise 'yung may contact sports like basketball, football... pero 'yung mga jogging, biking, ina-allow naman po lalo na kung outdoor," he added.

Asked if minors are allowed in village parks, Garcia said: "It's subject to interpretation eh. Sinasabi ko nga kung may gray area, doon tayo sa conservative."

"Kahit ikaw ang magulang, ikaw mismo ang mag-iingat para sa mga anak mo. Hindi mo i-interpret 'yan para makalabas eh," he added.

Garcia said the mayors come up with a decision following a discussion with health experts, including the Philippine Pediatric Society.

"Naglabas po sila yesterday ng opinyon... 'yung opinyon po nila is delikado for the minors to go out," Garcia said.

Citing his conversation with health experts, Garcia said children could be considered as carriers of COVID-19. He also said it is difficult to control the activities of children especially when they are outside their homes.

"Para kasing ang minors, mataas ang resistensiya niyan, malakas ang katawan, usually asymptomatic sila... just imagine pumunta ng restaurant 'yan at mall, kakain 'yan, magtatanggal ng masks, tapos maiinip, magtatatakbo 'yan, may malapitan na vulnerable makahawa sila," Garcia explained.

"Kumbaga, carrier ang minors. Let's say lumabas sila sa mall, nahawa sila dahil nagtanggal ng face masks. Mahirap i-control ang mga bata eh, pag-uwi sa bahay puwedeng mahawa 'yung lolo at lola," he added.

Garcia said it is the responsibility of local government units to ensure that minors are not roaming outside amid the GCQ. The management of establishments and shopping centers also share the responsibility.

He said it depends on the ordinance of the local government unit if parents will be penalized once proven that the latest directive was violated.

"It's up to the ordinance... so may corresponding penalties 'yan," Garcia said.

The Department of Health has said children aged 14 years old and below, as well as the elderly aged 66 and above, should still not be allowed to go outside their homes because the threat of COVID-19 pandemic remains. — with Virgil Lopez/KBK/RSJ, GMA News