Metro Manila mayors have recommended that the government scrap the mandatory use of face shields as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to drop in the National Capital Region (NCR).
But when Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed an executive order Monday lifting the face shield requirement in his city, the Palace reminded local executives that the rule is still in place and admonished them to follow “the chain of command.”
Members of Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of 17 mayors in NCR, came up with a resolution asking the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow the public to do away with face shields except for some places that are considered critical, such as hospitals, health centers and public utility vehicles.
“We will recommend the scrapping of mandatory wearing of face shields to the IATF especially since the majority of the eligible population in Metro Manila are already fully vaccinated and the average daily attack rate as well as the number of COVID-19 cases is going down,” said Benjamin Abalos Jr., chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
“We will forward our official position to the IATF who will have the final say,” Abalos said.
Since December 2020, the IATF has been requiring the use of face shields in all public spaces to curb the transmission of COVID-19.
But in September, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the removal of this requirement except for closed, crowded and close contact areas.
IATF officials had said wearing face shields gives people more protection against the deadly coronavirus.
Former vice president Jejomar Binay said government officials obsess over the minor details such as face shields while neglecting the things that matter such as contact tracing, testing, and vaccination.
Domagoso had also called on the government to lift its policy mandating the wearing of face shields in all public places to ease the burden on the people.
On Monday, Domagoso signed an executive order lifting the mandatory use of face shields in Manila.
But in a press briefing, Roque appealed to the different LGUs to wait for the decision of the IATF.
He reminded them that IATF policies are ratified by President Duterte and should be implemented.
Roque said that all mayors are under the control and supervision of the President in the executive branch of government and the decision of the IATF is the decision of the President.
“The order of the President through the IATF is to enforce the wearing of face shields,” he said, adding, “Don’t worry. The IATF is studying it so it may be lifted soon.”
The Palace reiterated the appeal to the public to still follow health protocols to prevent another surge of the deadly virus.
“We are reminding the public: we opened the malls for the children for public health and our economy. This is not a reason for the places to [have] super-spreader events. It is your responsibility to implement minimum public health standards such as wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands, and social distancing, especially social distancing,” he added.
Senate President Vicente Sotto said he has long been saying that face shields are an unnecessary imposition.
“No one is listening. I even picked a fight with the DOH (Department of Health),” Sotto said.
Senator Manny Pacquiao asked the government to stop the mandatory use of face shields, saying they were an added burden to Filipinos and a symbol of corruption.
There is still no clear basis for the use of face shields, he said.
The DOH said it is scheduled to present its recommendation on face shields.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in an online press briefing on Monday, said the DOH, in coordination with experts, is currently reviewing the policy on face shield use.
“We have committed to the IATF that by Thursday, we will be presenting to them an updated recommendation for the use of face shields,” Vergeire said.
Pending the final decision by the IATF, Vergeire urged local government units “to hold, for the meantime, their orders… on making the wearing of face shields optional.”