Senator seeks stronger mandatory face mask policy

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Bong Go is pushing for stricter implementation of the policy on the mandatory wearing of face masks in public to more effectively combat the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“I am urging the government to enforce a stronger mask-wearing policy in the country. Let us make this a discipline among all Filipinos as we continue our fight to stop the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

“According to experts, wearing the right kind of mask decreases the risk of spreading the virus by 85 percent. With social distancing and the use of face shields, the risk may be reduced by more than 90 percent. This is why, in the absence of a vaccine, wearing a mask remains a must,” he added.

Go urged the government to provide masks for those who cannot acquire or afford them, adding that he would talk to the executive department to discuss how the government can provide face masks to poor Filipinos.

“I will push this and request President Duterte to find ways to give our poor brothers masks. We could prioritize the poor, especially the 4Ps beneficiaries whose money is just enough to buy food and cannot afford to buy masks,” he said in Filipino.

He expressed optimism that the provision of face masks to the poor will be considered as one of the specific measures the government may implement under the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One or the Bayanihan 2 Act, which will be tackled in the Senate once the Congress resumes session.a

Earlier, Go appealed to export-oriented local manufacturers of medical supplies and equipment to retain most of their outputs for use in the Philippines to address the scarcity of some medical supplies and equipment as the world battles the pandemic.

He added that while donations of medical supplies and equipment from other countries are appreciated, the country could not rely on outside sources all the time.

“We need to enhance our own local production capability,” Go said.