CEBU, Philippines — The new face mask policy in Cebu Province stays.
This according to Third District Board Member John Ismael Borgonia who disclosed that Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia have spoken on June 21, 2022 after weeks of trading barbs.
Garcia has made mask wearing in the province optional in open and well-ventilated spaces but Año initially did not agree. He said mask wearing remains required even outdoors, citing guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.
He also said the national government may sue Cebu Province if it insists on the policy.
Garcia, for her part, insisted on local autonomy and said it is about time mask wearing is rationalized.
All’s well that ends well.
“Dili na to ipadayon ang show cause order, ang kadtong i-rectify, amend, so wala na to. In other words, ni give-in na si Secretary Año sa atoang ordinance ug sa order ni Gov. Gwen about face mask," Borgonia told The Freeman.
Under Garcia’s June 8 order, those in Cebu Province may choose not to wear a mask in open or well-ventilated spaces but they are still required to do so in closed or air-conditioned areas.
A mask is also required among those who have illnesses or may manifest COVID-19 symptoms.
The Provincial Board subsequently passed an ordinance supporting the EO. Borgonia authored the ordinance.
Borgonia said the Province has agreed to come up with implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on the face mask policy.
"Naa sad grey area sa ordinance. Mao to, i-clear sa implementing rules and procedures,” Borgonia said. – JMO (FREEMAN)