Cebu residents can now choose whether or not to follow the optional wearing of face masks outdoors after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año and Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia came to an agreement.
Año will no longer stop the provincial government from implementing the optional face mask use in open spaces and well-ventilated areas, as confirmed by Provincial Board Member John Ismael Borgonia.
This was the first conversation of the two officials through a telephone call following the issuance of the controversial ordinance.
“Tinanggap na niya (Año) ang validity ng ating ordinansa, at wala na rin ‘yung mga show cause order at wala na rin ‘yung directive niya sa mga pulis na arestuhin ‘yung hindi mga nagsusuot ng facemask sa probinsya kahit nasa labas at malawak na lugar,” Borgonia said.
“Hindi na niya kukwestiyunin ang validity ng ating ordinansa,” he continued, adding that the DILG official did not share his reason for changing his position on the matter.
Garcia welcomed the decision of the DILG chief. In the same meeting, the governor invited Año to attend the oath taking ceremony of winning One Cebu poll candidates on June 28.
“As far as I know, walang hinihiling o ipinakiusap ang DILG secretary in return, requests or whatever na baguhin sa ordinansa,” Borgonia said.
The provincial government has already released implementing rules and regulations on the policy, wherein face mask use remains recommended outdoors and mandatory in enclosed and air-conditioned areas. – Report from John Aroa (PTV Cebu)/AG-ngs
