By Alec Go
Malacañang expressed support for Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra’s statement saying that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) resolution on the mandatory use of face masks “shall prevail over the executive orders issued by local government units.”
In a statement on Tuesday, June 14, Acting Presidential Spokesperson Martin Andanar said this also includes the recent executive order issued by the provincial government of Cebu which makes the use of face masks optional outdoors.
“The Chief Executive’s directive is clear: Continue wearing face masks; and the Department of the Interior and Local Government has instructed the Philippine National Police to implement the existing IATF resolution on wearing of face masks accordingly,” Andanar said.
Under Executive Order No. 16 titled “Rationalizing the Wearing of Face Masks Within Cebu,” the wearing of face masks “shall be required only in closed and/or air conditioned spaces,” and for those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, or runny nose.
The same directive was not recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, citing “IATF Guidelines approved by the President.”
“The Philippine National Police will continue to confront, apprehend, and arrest, if necessary, all violators of IATF Guidelines and MPHS [minimum public health standards] in the Province of Cebu,” the DILG said in a statement on June 10.
The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated that minimum public health standards remain effective against the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants, as well as other infectious diseases.
“Current IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force] protocols allow only for specific instances when masks can be taken off, such as when eating or during certain well-ventilated sports and activities,” the DOH said. – gb
READ MORE: Cebu discards mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors
