DILG clarifies rules on wearing of face masks
>> Sunday, July 10, 2022
Individuals may temporarily remove their face masks when outdoors in
case they need to catch their breath, Dept. of the Interior and Local
Government Sec. Eduardo Año clarified on June 14.
He explained this when pressed for reaction pertaining to the Independence Day celebration at the Luneta in Manila where President Duterte was seen attending the event without wearing his face mask amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the mandatory wearing of face masks is mandatory, Año said the rule has some exemptions citing that one can remove it while exercising but should put it back when entering crowded places where people start to flock.
“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,’’ Año noted earlier.
On June 13, Cebu province Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia took notice that the President, who said he would not lift the face mask rule until the end of his term, took off his face mask during the Independence Day rites in Manila.
“The President says one thing and does another thing. Sa’kin lang (For me), let’s not be hypocrites here. Bakit pa magmamaang-maangan pa tayo (Why do we still need to pretend),” Garcia said.
The DILG chief said individuals disregarding the wearing of face mask regulations in Cebu province may be arrested by persons in authority as the country remains under the national public health emergency.
Año said in his report to the President that most people in Cebu province are observing the outdoor wearing of face mask rule while those violating the regulation were given face masks or were reminded about the IATF law.
“Pero may mga tao na talagang sinabihan mo nang magano, magmask, ayaw pa ring sumunod, binigyan mo na rin naman ng warning ayaw pa ring magsuot, sumasagot pa. Yun inaaresto natin yung mga ganun (But there are people who refuse to heed the call despite being given warnings and instead argue with authorities. Those are the ones we are arresting),’’ he added.
He noted that there are local government units in Cebu province that have ordinances where wearing of masks are required.
Even in the absence of an ordinance, Año said the DILG and the Dept. of Health have authorized LGUs to create health protocols as mandated under Republic Act (RA) 11332. -- Chito A. Chavez
He explained this when pressed for reaction pertaining to the Independence Day celebration at the Luneta in Manila where President Duterte was seen attending the event without wearing his face mask amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the mandatory wearing of face masks is mandatory, Año said the rule has some exemptions citing that one can remove it while exercising but should put it back when entering crowded places where people start to flock.
“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,’’ Año noted earlier.
On June 13, Cebu province Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia took notice that the President, who said he would not lift the face mask rule until the end of his term, took off his face mask during the Independence Day rites in Manila.
“The President says one thing and does another thing. Sa’kin lang (For me), let’s not be hypocrites here. Bakit pa magmamaang-maangan pa tayo (Why do we still need to pretend),” Garcia said.
The DILG chief said individuals disregarding the wearing of face mask regulations in Cebu province may be arrested by persons in authority as the country remains under the national public health emergency.
Año said in his report to the President that most people in Cebu province are observing the outdoor wearing of face mask rule while those violating the regulation were given face masks or were reminded about the IATF law.
“Pero may mga tao na talagang sinabihan mo nang magano, magmask, ayaw pa ring sumunod, binigyan mo na rin naman ng warning ayaw pa ring magsuot, sumasagot pa. Yun inaaresto natin yung mga ganun (But there are people who refuse to heed the call despite being given warnings and instead argue with authorities. Those are the ones we are arresting),’’ he added.
He noted that there are local government units in Cebu province that have ordinances where wearing of masks are required.
Even in the absence of an ordinance, Año said the DILG and the Dept. of Health have authorized LGUs to create health protocols as mandated under Republic Act (RA) 11332. -- Chito A. Chavez
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