Metro Manila mayors oppose shorter curfew

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors yesterday opposed the plan of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to shorten the unified curfew hours being enforced in the metropolis.

Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who heads the Metro Manila Council (MMC), said the mayors agreed to maintain the curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“We agreed to unify the curfew because Metro Manila cities are interconnected,” Olivarez said.

IATF vice chairman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles earlier proposed the idea of easing the 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew to 1 a.m.-5 a.m. to allow more businesses to operate for longer hours.

Age restrictions

Mayors are also considering easing the age restrictions under general community quarantine to allow people aged 18 to 65 to go out of their houses on essential travel.

Olivarez said they would recommend to the IATF to modify the age restrictions from 21 to 60 years old to 18 to 65.

Under IATF rules, residents below 20 years, senior citizens, pregnant women and those with comorbidities are prohibited in public places.

“We will propose to the IATF to allow those aged 18 to 65 to go out of their houses,” Olivarez said.

He said the mayors reached a consensus to adjust the age group allowed outdoors to “help boost the economy.”

Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta III said they considered the mental health of the youth.

“If you’re limited in a place and can’t go anywhere, it might affect you mentally,” Oreta said.

Olivarez said the proposal would still be subject to the approval of the IATF.

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said he is open to allowing residents aged 18 to 65 to leave their homes.

While the MMC did not agree to shorten curfew hours, Zamora said the city council has passed an ordinance adjusting curfew from 12 midnight to 5 a.m.

“Health and safety protocols will remain in place and will be strictly enforced through our ordinances and IATF directives,” he said. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Neil Jayson Servallos