NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Friday, December 4, 2020, said it would be up to the local government units (LGUs) in the province to decide whether or not they will allow minors in shopping malls.

"I would rather leave the discretion to respective LGUs," Lacson said.

Lacson advised local chief executives to seek the advice and opinions of medical doctors first to determine if it is indeed safe for minors to enter shopping malls.

The National Inter-Agency Task Force this week said minors, as long as accompanied by their parents, may be allowed in shopping malls this holiday season.

On Thursday, however, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año made a reversal after he was advised by the Department of Health that it was a bad idea as children might catch the coronavirus and inadvertently spread it among family members.