Sen. Imee Marcos
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday slammed the new policy of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) requiring commuters to wear face shields, apart from the mandatory face mask starting August 15 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
She said that it will be an added burden to commuters in a time where many have lost their jobs and livelihood.
“Dagdag pahirap ito sa ating mga kababayan. Imbes na pambili ng noodles, mapupunta sa face shield. Hindi pa ba sapat ang physical distancing at pagsusuot ng face mask? Meron pang barrier,” she said in a statement.
(This is an added burden to Filipinos. Instead of using their money to buy food such as noodles, it would only go to face shields. Is physical distancing and wearing face masks not enough? There are also barriers.)
The wearing of face masks should not be made mandatory as not all can afford to buy one, she added.
The senator proposed that DOTr, if it would insist on requiring commuters to wear face shields, distribute them for free.
“Alam nating dagdag proteksyon ito sa ating mga kababayan, pero sana tingnan din natin ang kakayanan at kalagayan nila sa buhay,” Marcos said.
(While we know that this is an added protection, we should also look into whether or not most Filipinos can afford it.)
“Hindi dapat mandatory, kung sino lang ang may kakayanan na makabili. Sagad na ang mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan, bakit hindi na lang ito ipamigay nang libre? ” she added.
(It should not be made mandatory. Those who are able to buy should do so. The poor are at their wit’s end, why not distribute it for free?)
Meanwhile, Marcos called on the Department of Trade and Industry to monitor the price of face shields which may skyrocket due to increasing demand.
She said face shields cost about P30 to P40 and it has been reported that its price went up to P60 to P65 per piece.