When in Mandaluyong, wear face mask even if driving a private vehicle
By Dhel Nazario
Wearing of face masks inside private vehicles is not exclusive to Mandaluyong City, the local government clarified after a message has been circulating in Viber warning drivers.
In a post on its Facebook page on Tuesday night, the city government shared the text which says: "Just want to warn everybody passing Mandaluyong.., even in the car you have to wear a mask...my son and driver was flagged down and fined only last Sunday... and the fee is 5k per person!"
Mandaluyong said in its post that the rule requiring face masks even inside a private vehicle is based on Article III Section 4 (b) of LTO Memorandum Circular No. 2020-2185 dated May 12, 2020, which states that: "All drivers and passengers of private and government vehicles must wear face masks at all times."
"Thus, requiring face masks inside private vehicles is not exclusive to Mandaluyong City. Having been issued by LTO, a national government agency, it is national in scope, and is enforced throughout the country," it added.
It also cited Article IV Section 7 (a) of the same LTO Memo Circular punishes non-wearing of face masks inside private vehicles as Reckless Driving, and refers to Article I (e) of Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 for the penalties.
First offenders will be fined with P2,000; for the second offense there will be a P3,000 fine while subsequent offenses incur a P5,000 fine plus the suspension or revocation of the driver's license.
On the other hand, Mandaluyong City enacted Ordinance No. 767, S-2020, which mandates all persons in public places to wear face masks. It excludes those inside private vehicles.
The local government said that it is reaching out to the person who posted the Viber message.
"Please get in touch with the Office of the City Mayor so that a proper investigation could be conducted. Rest assured that any irregularity, if any, would be promptly addressed," it said.