The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) over the weekend clarified that children were allowed to enter the Dolomite Beach in Manila as the local government had no ordinances prohibiting it.
Families continued to visit the controversial Dolomite Beach along the Manila Bay, as restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR) were taken a notch down to Alert Level 3.
As children were part of the crowds that flocked to the beach, concerns have been raised regarding the increased risk of COVID-19 transmission, given the number of visitors.
According to Station 5 Ermita Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Evangeline Cayaban, there had been difficulties in ensuring that public safety protocols were followed by the visitors.
“We kept on reminding them na regarding the health protocol. Tayong mga Pilipino, nandun tayo sa kung alin ‘yung bawal, ‘yun ‘yung maganda gawin, so ‘yung kanilang face mask is still sa kanilang baba,” she said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.
(We kept on reminding them regarding the health protocol. We Filipinos, we think that what is prohibited is what is good to do so their face masks are still on their chins.)
Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 3 from October 16 to 31, following the stricter Alert Level 4 from September 16 to October 15.
Under the current restrictions, establishments are allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals, and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees have received all the necessary jabs.
“Lilinawin ko lang po ‘no, hindi po pinagbabawal ang mga bata sa Alert Level 3 sa mga open air area, sa mga open air po. Ipinagbabawal ito sa indoor. Pinapayagan po kasi wala pa hong malinaw pa na ordinansa dito po sa Maynila na nagsasabing bawal,” Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said in the same interview.
(Let me just clarify that children are not prohibited to visit open-air areas under Alert Level 3. They are prohibited in indoor venues. They are allowed [to visit the Dolomite Beach] because there is no clear ordinance in Manila that prohibits this.)
“But again, if the local government will say na ipinagbabawal ‘yan (that they are prohibited), then it’s the time na ipagbabawal ‘yan (to prohibit them),” he added. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News
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