The Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of mayors in Metro Manila and other government officials, have suggested delaying the reopening of cinemas in the region citing possible health concerns in the middle of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a press conference on Monday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said the MMC has met to discuss the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF-EID) decision to reopen indoor leisure establishments such as arcades, museums, and more, noting that cinemas were particularly problematic.

“What really caught the eye of everyone was the cinema and almost everyone, halos lahat ng alkalde ay ayaw po ng ganito dahil (almost every mayor disagreed with it because) it is enclosed, you’ll have to stay there for more than one hour, at of course yung aerosol may mga virus baka mas lalong kumalat (and of course the aerosol particles might have viruses resulting in further infection),” Abalos said.

The final decision on the matter, he said, will still be with the IATF-EID and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

“At the end of the day, it is the IATF who will decide, it is the President who will decide, and after that, we must act as one,” Abalos said.

Despite the decision resting in the hands of the national government, he said local government units (LGUs) will have a say in its implementation and the crafting of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

“If [the mayors] think it is not safe, baguhin mo (then change it). And I would like to emphasize that the head of the oversight in each local government unit is still the mayor,” Abalos said.

While reopening cinemas is crucial to economic recovery, he said balancing the economy and health concerns remains necessary.

“Ang kailangan talaga dito ay yung pagtutulungan ng economic team, ng health, and of course the LGUs and lahat ng sector (What we really need is the cooperation of the economic team, the health sector, the LGUs, and all other sectors),” Abalos said.

In the meantime, he said the MMC will begin discussing the IRR of reopening cinemas before their meeting with IATF-EID on Wednesday.

“Paghandaan na nila in their own LGUs anong guidelines nito. Hindi naman siguro masama kung paghahandaan mo, it’s just forward-thinking. Wag mo na hintayin kung ano ang desisyon (They should begin preparing the guidelines on their own. It won’t hurt to be prepared; it’s just forward thinking. Let’s not wait for the decision),” Abalos said.

These guidelines, he said, will concern health and safety requirements such as social distancing, maximum capacity, food and drinks, and possible modifications on the ventilation of cinemas.

“These things, iga-guideline po lahat yan. Hindi lang yan, lahat ng activities na sinasabi po tungkol diyan, yung sa museum, yung sa historical sites, sa lahat. If you open up the economy, kaakibat dito yung safeguards (These things, they’ll have guidelines. Not only for cinemas but for others such as museums and historical sites. If you open up the economy, it goes hand-in-hand with safeguards),” Abalos said.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the reopening of cinemas in Metro Manila has been moved to March 1 to allow for consultations with local officials.

He noted that the IATF-EID respects the position of the MMC and that both national and local government officials understand the importance of the gradual reopening of the economy. (PNA)