DILG Rejects Cebu’s Optional Wearing of Face Mask

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that authorities in Cebu Province will continue to apprehend people not wearing face masks in public open spaces, even after the new the Executive Order (EO).

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said they do not recognize Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s EO No. 16 or the EO that made the wearing of face masks in public open spaces optional.

Read the article here: Face Masks Now Optional Outdoors in Cebu Province

“This Department does not recognize the Executive Order issued by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia because we have the IATF Guidelines approved by the President,” Año said.

Año added that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines are still in effect in the province, and authorities will continue to enforce face mask mandates.

“The Philippine National Police will continue to confront, apprehend, and arrest, if necessary, all violators of IATF Guidelines and MPHS in the Province of Cebu,” Año added.

Año added that the pandemic is not over yet and urges Local Government Units to continue to implement the approved IATF health safety guidelines.

“The Department wishes to remind the public and all Local Government Units that the COVID-19 virus is still present and the pandemic is not yet over,” Año said.

Yesterday, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued an Executive Order to make the wearing of face mask optional in “well-ventilated and open spaces.” (ASC)