The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) proposed to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Monday to allow children aged seven and older to enter malls as part of a program to revitalize the country’s economy.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez made the suggestion in connection with the upcoming Christmas, Sandra Aguinaldo reported on GMA News TV “Balitanghali” on Monday.
But his suggestion is only to buy necessities and if the children want to eat at the mall.
Playgrounds, such as arcades, will remain closed to prevent COVID-19 transmissions.
The DTI chief added that the local government may set the age of the children who want to be admitted to the mall depending on the situation of COVID-19 in their jurisdiction.
Last October, the IATF allowed those aged 15 to 65 to leave the house.
DTI: Allow children aged 7 and up inside malls
Last week, Senator Imee Marcos expressed her dismay over the government’s decision to reopen cockpits while face-to-face classes are still prohibited nationwide.
“Talagang nadismaya ako na mas mahalaga pa pala ang sabong sa Pilipino kaysa sa edukasyon. Dalawang linggo ang nakalipas binuksan na ang sabungan pero ang eskwela sarado pa rin,” Marcos said during a hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
“I think it’s most important na bigyan natin ng kahalagahan ang edukasyon. Alam naman natin na hindi super spreader ang mga eskwlehan,” she said.
Last month, the Inter-Agency Task Force allowed cockfighting in areas under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), subject to local government units’ final decision.
The Department of Education, meanwhile, said it was still evaluating the possibility of reintroducing face-to-face classes next year.
Senator Nancy Binay also pointed that while there were no classes, some students were being allowed to travel.
“At the moment, puwede na ngang bumyahe ang mga estudyante. We allow them to go to Boracay, we allow them to go to Baguio, but we don’t allow them to go to school,” she said.
Meanwhile, experts said the total number of cases could reach between 470,000 and 500,000 (with a mean of 485,000 cases) by December 31. The Department of Health reported 429,864 cases, including 8,373 deaths as of Sunday, November 29.