The mayors of the National Capital Region (NCR) will be rolling out a unified directive on age restrictions in malls following the push from President Rodrigo Duterte, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos confirmed on Tuesday.
"Para hindi na malito 'yung mga tao," Abalos told DZRH in an interview, while also citing the close borders in NCR.
(This is so the public will not be confused.)
The MMDA chair did not disclose a date on the said directive, but he said the mayors are waiting for the findings of health experts who will convene this afternoon to discuss and come up with guidelines on mall-going for minors.
"Kung ito ba ay dapat bang pagbawalan, 'yun mga batang hindi pa kaya (magpabakuna), i-ban lang siguro yung mga one month below," the MMDA chair said.
(If this should be prohibited, especially kids who cannot be vaccinated, maybe ban those one month below.)
"Kung ano man 'yung findings, ibibigay sa mga mayors po," he added.
(Their findings will be submitted to mayors.)
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, in a separate interview with DZRH, said their city will be waiting for formal directives regarding the request, but urged parents to be responsible to protect their children from COVID-19.
"Dapat tayo bilang mga magulang, alam din natin kung ano po ang higher-risk areas at iwasan na rin natin 'yun," he said.
(As parents, we should also know where higher-risk areas are and avoid them.)
"Hindi naman po tayo pinipilit na dalhin ang mga anak natin sa mga matataong lugar, so dapat responsable pa rin tayong mga magulang," he added.
(We are not coerced to bring out children to crowded areas, so let us be responsible parents.)
He called on parents to get their children aged 12 to 17 years old to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
"Gamitin natin ang pagkakataong ito para bigyan ng proteksyon ang ating mga anak na edad 12 to 17," he said.
(Let us use this opportunity to give protection to our children aged 12 to 17.)
"Wag na po tayong magdalawang-isip, tandaan po natin ang mga bakunang ginagamit ay aprubado ng FDA (Food and Drug Administration)," he further added. "Ligstas po 'yan para sa ating mga anak.
(Let us not think twice, let us remember that the vaccines used are approved by the FDA. They are safe for our children.)
Age restrictions on malls became a recent topic of discussion after families, including children, flocked to malls after curbs were eased in Metro Manila.
In one particular case, a two-year-old kid reportedly contracted COVID-19 after visiting the mall.
Abalos said the health experts meeting this afternoon will also discuss the case.
"Iimbestigihan ano ba talaga nangyari dun sa insidenteng 'yun, totoo bang ito ay dahil sa mall," he said.
(We will also investigate what really happened in the incident if it is true that this is because of the mall.)
