ILOILO City – The city council is yet to decide whether to suspend or amend the Iloilo City Face Mask Ordinance following the recent approval of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of the voluntary wearing of facemasks outdoors.
During Wednesday’s regular session, Councilor Ely Estante moved to propose an ordinance suspending Regulatory Ordinance No. 2020-061 or the Face Mask Ordinance, which mandates the wearing of facemasks during a pandemic period.
Councilor Romel Duron questioned the total suspension of the ordinance, citing that the President’s executive order covers only the voluntary wearing of facemasks in outdoor or open-space settings.
However, Estante explained that he moved for the suspension of the implementation of the ordinance since it covers only the mandatory wearing of facemasks in public places.
He added that if there will be violations in the mandate to wear facemasks indoors, penalizing it will depend on national policy.
Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, on his part, expressed that there is a danger in the total suspension of the ordinance because the public may interpret that facemasks are no longer needed anywhere.
He echoed the suggestion of Councilor Alan Zaldivar that the ordinance should just be harmonized based on or with the national declaration as stated in the executive order (EO) of Marcos.
The legislative body, at the end, eventually approved the proposed suspension of the ordinance on first reading and it was referred to the Committee on Health for further discussion.
In the proposed ordinance, Estante cited Section 1 of the President’s EO, which says that the voluntary wearing of facemasks in open spaces and outdoor areas with good ventilation is hereby allowed, provided that not fully vaccinated individuals, senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear their masks, and physical distancing will be maintained at all times.
It added that facemasks must continue to be worn in indoor private and public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air, or sea and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained./PN
