DOH worried other LGUs may copy Cebu City’s non-mandatory face mask rule

Department of Health Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire during the press conference at the Department of Health central office on August 16, 2022. (Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-chief Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday said it is worried that other local government units would follow the example of Cebu City’s “non-obligatory” face mask rule.

“Well, that’s one of our worries, siyempre kapag ang isang local government ay gumawa niyan, maaaring sumunod ang iba,” Vergeire said over ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

(Well that’s one of our worries, of course if a local government does that, others might follow suit.)

Last Wednesday, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued Executive Order No. 5, making the use of face masks within the city “non-obligatory but a measure of individual self-preservation and protection.” 

Non-mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors in Cebu City has already begun on Thursday, September 1.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, however, said he talked with Rama on Wednesday night where the mayor agreed in principle to defer the implementation of the executive order.   Cebu City temporarily suspends rule on optional face mask use — DILG

But Rama on Thursday said he stood by his order making the use of face masks in outdoor spaces within the city optional. 

Vergeire added  that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will convene, and the directive on the wearing of face masks will also be tackled. 

 gsg