Nancy Binay favors ‘louder call’ for face mask use, not make it mandatory

Sen. Nancy Binay during a Senate deliberations. Senate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA, Philippines — There should be a “louder call” to act for the use of face masks instead of reinstating the mandatory status, Senator Nancy Binay said on Thursday.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself floated the possibility of returning the mask mandate in light of the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the country.

For Binay, however, wearing face masks should still be voluntary, but the government should intensify its information drive to encourage its continued use against the deadly virus.

“Sana magkaroon ng information campaign to encourage na magsuot ng mask. Gawin pa rin syang voluntary pero mas maging maingay dun sa panawagan na magsuot pa rin ng mask,” she said in an interview at the Senate

(I hope there will be an information campaign to encourage the use of face masks. It should still be voluntary, but there should be a louder call to continue wearing masks.)

Despite the latest rise in COVID-19 cases, Binay noted that the hospital utilization rate remains low.

It is nevertheless up to different sectors to decide whether or not to return to a  work-from-home or hybrid set up  to contain the spread of the virus. The senator pointed out.

“Let’s give it to the different sectors to make that decision. Example,  may nakikita ka ngayon yung mga ibang  eskwelahan balik  na ulit sa hybrid. May office na balik muna sa work-from-home,” Binay said.

(Let’s give it to different sectors to make that decision. For example, some schools have already returned to  hybrid classes while some offices have  decided to adopt work-from-home arrangements temporarily.)

“But let’s give it to the industry to decide what is  best for them kasi naiintindihan  din naman natin na mahirap yung kunwari maraming  empleyado magka-COVID syempre mapipilayan din ang  negosyo nila,” she added.

(But let’s give it to the industry to decide what is best for them. We also understand that it’s difficult if many employees contract COVID-19 because it will affect their business operations.)

Despite Marcos’ earlier  pronouncement, the Department of Health has already recommended to the President that “there is no need to bring back the [mask] mandate.”

JPV/abc