Malacañang defended Saturday the Metro Manila Council’s decision to prohibit minors from going outdoors in the national capital region for two weeks following the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s (UNICEF) comment that such a measure would infringe children’s rights.
“It’s exercise of police power to protect the health of the public,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told GMA News Online, adding “Exercise of police power will entail restriction on the exercise of some rights, but it’s for the public good.”
On Friday, the UNICEF, while acknowledging government efforts to control the surge of the coronavirus pandemic, said the recent decision of the Metro Manila Council to prohibit minors from going outdoors could be considered as “infringement of children’s rights.”
Only individuals aged 18 to 65 years old are allowed to go outside their residences.
UNICEF stressed that the lockdowns have taken a toll on children.
In its statement Friday, UNICEF said while efforts to contain the spread of the deadly disease required public health and social measures, it emphasized: “these measures should consider the highest level of acceptability and feasibility, proven effectiveness and should minimize the negative consequences on health and well-being of all members of society.”
It added: “They should respond to the best interest of the child; should not cause further harm; and should always consider the preservation of the child’s well-being and dignity.”
The organization said the impact on children and young people’s psycho-social well-being and mental health risks was taking a toll.
It also stated that due to the restrictive containment measures adopted since the onset of the pandemic, children have lived away from members of their extended families, teachers, and friends.
“They have been learning from home, often confronting incredibly challenging circumstances. For those experiencing violence, neglect or abuse at home, lockdowns left them stranded with abusers and without the required support,” it stated.
UNICEF cited the World Health Organization, which says the pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93 percent of countries worldwide, while the demand for mental health support is increasing.
WHO said: “Globally, data also show that even before the pandemic, children and young people carried the burden of mental health risks, with half of all mental disorders developing before age 15, and 75 percent by early adulthood.”
“The majority of the 800,000 people who die by suicide every year are young people, and self-harm is the third leading cause of death among 15–19-year-olds, with higher rates among adolescent girls. It is estimated that globally 1 in 4 children live with a parent who has a mental disorder.”
UNICEF urged the Metro Manila Council to issue a resolution to local government units specifying that to take the best interest of the child into account, children of all age groups could be allowed to play and conduct sport and physical exercise in outdoor areas, as long as the required public health measures (social distancing and wearing of masks) were strictly complied with.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said it was not their intention to violate children’s rights but to “protect” them “considering the surge in cases in Metro Manila.”
“We are not here to infringe on the rights of the children, we are here to protect them,” he said.
Last Monday, the MMDA announced that minors are prohibited from going outside residence for two weeks in NCR.
Abalos said only individuals aged 18-65 years old are allowed to go outside their residences amid the alarming rising number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.
“We are implementing age restrictions because of the increase in our COVID-19 cases. We encourage everyone to strictly observe and practice the minimum health protocols, and be extra careful and follow stringent measures particularly when around vulnerable family members, as there have been reports of transmission among family members,” he said.
The MMDA stated that minors were mostly asymptomatic, reason the agency and the local executives were very careful in making decisions.