DILG exec: Let's wait for Palace decision on Cebu policy vs face mask

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Tuesday it will wait for the decision from Malacañang on the Cebu government policy making the wearing of face mask optional.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño made the statement after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia refused the department’s ultimatum to change her order about face masks.

“Kung 'yan ang kagustuhan ni Governor Gwen, tignan na lang natin kung ano ang tinatadhana ng batas at tignan natin kung ano ang magiging kapasyahan ng Malacañang tungol dito sa ginawa na ordinansa ng Cebu,” he said.

(If that’s what Governor Gwen wants, let’s see what the law provides as well as the decision of Malacañang about this ordinance in Cebu.)

The DILG gave the Cebu provincial government only until the weekend to rectify the executive order on the optional wearing of face mask in well-ventilated and open areas.

Garcia issued Executive Order No. 16 stating that wearing of face mask shall be required only in closed and air-conditioned spaces in the province.

DILG Secretary Educardo Año earlier said he is mulling to file charges against Garcia over her  EO 16.

“Lahat ng options ay gagawin natin dito. Ito naman ay meron ring instructions ng Office of the President na we should seek all remedies at kung wala, we could also pursue legal actions,” he said.

(We will exhaust all options. The Office of the President gave instructions that we should seek all possible remedies before pursuing legal actions.)

So far, Diño said no barangay has expressed interest in issuing an ordinance to make wearing face masks optional in their areas.

“Wala. Alam mo masunurin ang ating mga barangay dahil alam nila na mahigit dalawang taon ang paghihirap 'yung effort na ginawa nila,” he said.

(None. Barangays are compliant because they know their struggles and efforts in over two years in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.)—AOL, GMA News