NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Tuesday, November 9, that he will base his decision on allowing children outside of their homes, or inside shopping malls on the guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF).

Despite the province being under Alert Level 2 in terms of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) transmission, Lacson said they will continue to follow the policy of IATF like what they have been doing from the beginning.

The IATF allows minors to go outside of their homes for essential purposes in areas under Alert Level 2, provided they are always accompanied either by their parents or a guardian.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who is also part of the IATF, said the local government units (LGUs) are still given the final discretion whether they will allow minors outside of their homes or not.

“If there is an IATF resolution, it would be up to the LGUs if they follow or they can also come up with their discretion as local chief executive,” Bello said.

Two weeks ago, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said all minors in Metro Manila are now allowed outside of their homes as the National Capital Region (NCR) slipped into Alert Level 2.

Under Alert Level 2, peryas and kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playrooms, and kiddie rides are now allowed to operate.

But Roque also explained that LGUs can still impose “reasonable restrictions,” but they must not be tighter than the guidelines set under Alert Level 2.