ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has yet to amend this city’s ordinance on the optional use of face shields. The national government bucked its lifting, too. But Mayor Jerry Treñas’ is firm on his order.
“Under a pandemic, the LGUs (local government units) comply with all health standards, but the matter of the face shield is not backed by medical or scientific studies,” Treñas said.
The mayor asked the SP to amend Regulatory Ordinance No. 2020-06 (Face Mask/Face Shield Ordinance).
However, during Tuesday’s deliberation, the SP, upon the motion of Councilor Ely Estante, referred Treñas’ request to the committee on health chaired by Councilor Alan Zaldivar for “study, report and recommendations.”
Estante, author of the ordinance, was pondering on two things: the appeal to local governments to wait for the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) regarding the removal of face shields and the Department of Health’s announcement that they could come up with a recommendation this Thursday.
“We are exercising caution for the local economy. We can pass any legislation for the benefit of our constituents,” said Estante.
However, he added, the city will “give chance to the national government to make proper guidelines on the uniformed implementation of the removal of face shield, especially on public places.”
Councilor Candice Magdalane Tupas, meanwhile, commented that according to the World Health Organization, the use of face shields is actually required for healthcare workers within health facilities.
Zaldivar vowed to fast track the study of the request of the city mayor.
“We respect the wisdom of Mayor Jerry Treñas kon ngaa ginaduso niya ini ang non-mandatory na ang pag-wear sang face shields,” said Zaldivar.
“We have almost reached herd immunity of almost 75 percent. With that, we understand well-protected na ang mga pumoluyo,” he stressed.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque previously said orders nixing the mandatory use of face shields in crowded and enclosed spaces were “null and void.” He also said local chief executives must follow the “chain of command.”
Treñas rebutted this.
“Harry Roque came up with the theory that all LGUs (local government units) must follow the chain of command. As a local chief executive, the Local Government Code provides that local governments have local autonomy,” Treñas said.
Moreover, Treñas brought to the attention of Roque that Iloilo City has appealed its alert level status.
He cited that based on DOH reports, the city ranked the last in terms of alert levels.
“We are most urgently requesting Harry Roque to please take up the appeal of Iloilo City so that we will also slowly recover from this pandemic. I wish Harry Roque a good day,” Treñas further said.
For his part, Interior secretary Eduardo Año said local chief executives can lift the mandatory use of face shields in public places even without seeking approval from the IATF-MEID./PN
