MANILA will not do a Cebu when it comes to observing the mandatory face mask.
This became clear when, during the regular flag raising ceremony of the Manila City Hall on Monday, Mayor Honey Lacuna called on the residents to continue following the minimum health protocols, specifically, the wearing of face masks.
Lacuna’s pronouncement came in the wake of the controversy stirred by Cebu City where wearing of face masks outdoors and in open spaces is no longer mandatory and fears expressed by Health officer-in-charge Secretary Rosario Vergeire that other local government units may copy the move.
“I can only remind you, we will always follow all the rules of our city. The mask mandate is still there,” Lacuna, who also happens to be a doctor, stressed.
“For months now… Jose Mari Chan has been peeking, you’ve been singing. But before we get excited about the next few months, especially in our preparations for the upcoming Christmas season, just a reminder…let’s continue to maintain the minimum health protocols for our safety,” the lady mayor said.
She added: “The COVID is still around us. Although the number of COVID cases in our city is low, nothing beats being prompt.”
Lacuna said while she respects the decision of Cebu, the city government of Manila will always abide by the dictates of the concerned national government agencies when it comes to addressing the pandemic.
According to her, the protocols are there for a reason and are the result of a thorough study done by health authorities and experts on the matter.
It will be recalled that Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama signed on August 31, Executive Order No. 5, making the use of face masks in the city non-obligatory, with the decision on whether to wear the protective gear left to the decision of each person.
The wearing of face masks outdoors and in open spaces is no longer mandatory in Cebu City starting September 1..
Vergeire said it is too soon to abandon the mask rule and expressed fear that other LGUs may copy what Cebu City had done.
After the EO stirred controversy, Rama issued a new EO calling the last four months of this year a “trial period” for the non-obligatory wearing of face masks in the city.
The EO said that all establishments, businesses and entities, including administrators of buildings and facilities, are granted the discretion to determine whether to require wearing face masks in their areas of responsibility.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. appealed to other local government units (LGUs) to put on hold any planned policies lifting the mandatory wearing of face masks in their areas until he is able to bring up the matter with the Inter-Agency Task Force. (Baby Cuevas)
