DILG urges LGUs to pass ordinance on mandatory wearing of face masks

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday called on local government units to pass an ordinance in their respective localities requiring the public to wear face masks as a preventive measure against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"We must be vigilant. Hindi biro ang coronavirus na ito kaya hinihikayat ko ang mga LGU na tiyakin na ang kanilang mga kababayan ay laging nakasuot ng face mask kapag sila ay lalabas sa pamamagitan ng pagsasabatas ng ordinansa ukol dito. This is our small way of ensuring that the virus will not spread," Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.

Año said if the public could no longer buy face masks, they may use improvised or do-it-yourself masks. He said this practice is an additional measure in preventing the spread of COVID-19, aside from observing social distancing and mandatory home quarantine.

"Kung maipapasa ng mga LGU ang ordinansa ng mandatory wearing of face mask, dagdag na naman ito sa mga umiiral na hakbang ng pamahalaan sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng coronavirus sa ating mga pamayanan and right now, we cannot be limiting ourselves to minimal preventive measures," he said.

Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government has made mandatory the wearing of face masks by residents of areas covered by the enhanced community quarantine.

Philippine National Police  deputy chief for operations Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar warned that authorities may apprehend individuals who are not wearing face masks or other improvised face shields.

But he said that without an ordinance, the PNP can only reprimand people who will not wear face masks in public.

"Sa ngayon, what we can do is to caution them, para sila ay pauwiin or deny them entry sa ating mga quarantine controlled points," Eleazar said.

In January, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said surgical face masks are disposable and should only be used for eight to 10 hours. — RSJ, GMA News