Garcia hits officials for violating face masks rule; Año says there are exemptions

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia continue to exchange words on the optional face mask policy, with the latter criticizing some officials for violating the rule themselves.

In a press briefing on Friday, Garcia noted the officials were recently pictured without masks inside air-conditioned rooms and in the company of other people.

She said this breaches the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) protocols stating that face masks can only be taken off when eating or during certain well-ventilated sports and activities.

“We arrest the poor guy walking on the street. He’s powerless, he has no authority, he is voiceless, he is nameless…basta arrest,” Garcia said.

“...They insist to follow very strictly the IATF guidelines on the wearing of face mask because that is the law according to them.  But to whom is that intended for? Are they exempted? They don’t need to while the rest of us must follow the law?” she added.

The governor insisted the provincial government "continues to stand by the rule if law" with its recent executive order and subsequent ordinance on the optional wearing of face mask in well-ventilated and open venues.

She said the IATF resolution “doesn’t carry the force of law, not enacted by Congress, nor is that an  Order signed by the President.”

DILG refuted the ordinance, saying the IATF guidelines must prevail in terms of COVID-19 response. The Department of Justice and Malacañang affirmed this.

Responding to Garcia, Año in a "24 Oras" report took exception to the "unnecessary comments" of the governor.

"Wearing of face mask is mandatory, but there are exemptions as well [as] reasonable accommodations especially in areas under Alert Level 1," he said.

"…Like when you are officially speaking in public to include press conference.  And immediately after speaking, you must put on your mask again…And quick photo ops may be allowed in controlled environment where attendees have submitted negative antigen or PCR test result," he added.

"But the general rule of mandatory wearing of mask under EO 151 should prevail, a big contrast to the optional wearing of face in outdoor and ventilated areas right from the start," the DILG chief said.

On Thursday, the DILG warned the Cebu government has only until the weekend to rectify the executive order. It also said it is mulling to take legal action if Garcia continues to defy the national mandate.

But Garcia snubbed the warning and maintained the enforcement of EO No. 16 will prevail in the province.

“Here in the province of Cebu the ordinance that rationalizes the use of face masks stands,” she said.

Further, she lambasted the debate on the use of masks as “trivial” stressing the country is currently facing bigger problems including the rising fuel prices and other basic commodities.

“As many of us subjected ourselves to vaccination, some to booster shots. If beyond all of these, you are still required to wear a face mask even in well-ventilated, open environments then that would now amount to pure ridiculousness. What is the use of all these vaccines and further what have we learned from COVID-19?” she said.

Cebu province is currently under Alert Level 2 after the IATF approved the recommendation to place it in a stricter alert level from June 16 to June 30, 2022.

Under the Alert Level 2, certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults (and minors, even if unvaccinated), and 70% capacity outdoors.—LDF, GMA News