Let LGUs decide on face shield issue — ULAP president

SHIELD ON A mural in Singalong district, Manila, depicts a man wearing a face shield as the debate on its use outdoors continues. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines- President of Union of Local Authorities in the Philippines (ULAP) Dakila “Dax” Cua has called on the national government to give local government units (LGUs) the authority to decide on the use of face shields in their respective areas.

“Iyang face shield siguro kung pupwede po, i-bigay na sa LGU ang [desisyson]… si LGU na po ang mag-determine according to their doctors, kung kelangan ba mag-face shield in certain circumstances,” Cua said during a Laging Handa briefing on Saturday.

Cua also serves Quirino province as its governor.

He clarified that this was their suggestion and that they will respect and support the decision of the national government on the matter.

Cua also urged the religious sector to support the state’s efforts in achieving herd immunity against COVID-19.

“Ito ay isang panawagan sa ating mga kapatid sa religious sector, simbahan at iba’t ibang religious organization na sana tulungan po ang ating gobyerno sa kampanya sa pagbabakuna,” he said.

(“We are calling the religious sector, churches and other religions organizations to help our government in its vaccination programs.”)

“Wala po tayong intention na tapakan ang karapatan ng mga religion natin, ng iba’t ibang grupo, ngunit nakikiusap lang tayo na ito’y para sa kabutihan ng ating lahat ng mamamayan,” he added.

(“We don’t have any intention to step on the rights of religious groups, but we believe that this is for the good of our countrymen.”)

The rules on wearing face shields- whether they should be worn on a mandatory or voluntary basis- still remain in limbo, as President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to approve of the government pandemic task force’s latest stand on the policy.

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