Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 10)— Metro Manila mayors will meet on Sunday to discuss concerns and issues surrounding the Inter-Agency Task Force’s policy allowing children as young as five to go outdoors.
“Magmi-meeting ang mga mayors ng Kalakhang Maynila, tomorrow at 10 o’clock para pag-usapan namin itong mga hinaing,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said.
“So ito’y pag-uusapan lang namin dahil ako nga part of the IATF and I would like to reemphasize, that we [are] always guided by the experts,” he added.
[Translation: Metro Manila mayors will meet tomorrow at 10 o’clock to discuss these concerns. We’re just discussing this, because I’m a part of the IATF, and I would like to reemphasize that we are always guided by the experts.]
In areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ, children aged five and up can go to parks, playgrounds, outdoor tourist sites, outdoor non-contact sports courts, and al fresco or outdoor dining with their parents or guardians.
The children are required to wear face masks and practice other health protocols at all times.
Abalos stressed local government units in the National Capital Region — which remains under GCQ “with some restrictions” — can decide whether to impose additional rules.
“It’s up to the LGUs, they can impose additional requirements, pwede nilang taasan ang edad (they can increase the age restriction),” he noted.
The Department of Health, for its part, underscored the importance of adult supervision amid the implementation of the new rule.
“Kailangan ang mga bata kapag lumabas ay supervised ng kanilang mga magulang at saka nakasuot po sila ng mask, at kailangan pa ring ipatupad ang safety protocols,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the government’s “Laging Handa” briefing.
[Translation: When children go out, they should be supervised by their parents, they should be wearing masks, and safety protocols must be enforced.]
