Atty. Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr.
DILG Secretary
The DILG acknowledges the support and initiatives of the local government units (LGUs) in making the country safer against COVID-19.
The country is still in a national health emergency. Our President Ferdinand ‘Bong-Bong’ Marcos, Jr. has called the Filipinos to be more vigilant and proactive in following established health protocols.
In this respect, I join everyone who has good and honest intentions in achieving the mandate and purpose of his respective sector— the IATF, the National Government Agencies, the LGUs, and even the business sectors. One way to strengthen this noble goal is to harmonize existing laws and policies where implementation should benefit the public— enhancing public trust and confidence.
With this in mind, I had a talk with Mayor Mike Rama to defer the implementation of Executive Order No. 5 series of 2022 declaring the use of face mask in Cebu City as non-obligatory, and Mayor Mike agreed to temporarily put this Executive Order on hold by virtue of my commitment to bring the matter to the IATF for deliberation. In fact, I am going to even further suggest to make Cebu City the pilot implementer of this measure since the city has always been first in espousing non-masking policies outdoors for the ease and benefit of its people amid the pandemic.
In the spirit of unity, I likewise appeal to all Local Chief Executives to do the same until I bring this matter to the IATF. I have already requested the IATF Secretariat to immediately convene in order to thoroughly discuss this measure. Be assured that I, and the whole of DILG, will support its implementation as soon as this initiative gains the concurrence of the experts and policy-makers of the IATF.
Handang makiisa ang DILG sa layunin ng bawat sektor na isulong ang mga inisyatibong makabubuti sa ating mga komunidad, kaya’t bukas ang Kagawaran na makipagtulungan sa lokal na pamahalaan sa pagpapatupad at pagpapalaganap ng mga estratihiya upang muling makabangon ang ating mga kababayan mula sa pandaigdigang pandemiyang dulot ng COVID-19.
Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Statement-on-Cebu-Citys-Non-Obligatory-Face-Mask-Policy/NC-2022-1131