Government urged to provide free face masks, shields to poor

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the continuing threat of COVID-19, Sen. Bong Go reminded the public to strictly adhere to government-imposed protocols, such as mandatory wearing of masks and face shields in public places.

He also urged authorities to strictly implement the mandatory mask- and face shield-wearing policy and provide free masks and face shields to the poor.

A study published by the University of the Philippines-OCTA Research showed that only 61 percent of Metro Manila respondents always or regularly use their face shields when outside their homes.

“The life of every Filipino is important,” he said. “Government should provide masks or shields to those who can’t afford them.”

Despite the decreasing number of new COVID cases in the country, the senator continues to remind Filipinos to comply with health protocols to put a stop to the spread of COVID.

Go and his team have been continuously going around the country to held vulnerable sectors cope with the adverse effects of the crisis. They have been providing masks, face shields, vitamins and other essential goods to market vendors, ordinary workers and victims of fires and natural disasters, among others.

The senator stressed that the government, as a whole, must do its best to unburden Filipinos by shouldering the cost while ensuring that basic needs, including personal protection such as masks and face shields, are provided to those who need these.