Imee slams DOTr for imposing use of face shields

 Sen. Imee R. Marcos has criticized the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for imposing on commuters the use of face shields aside from the use of face masks starting Aug. 15 in the face of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

This is an added financial burden to Filipinos whose lives are being crippled by the pandemic, Marcos, chairwoman of the Senate economic affairs committee, said.        

Filipinos, according to Marcos, are at present suffering from loss of jobs, shortage of food, and added financial burden because school classes start Aug. 24.

"Dagdag pahirap ito sa ating mga kababayan. Imbes na pambili ng noodles, mapupunta sa face shield. Hindi pa ba sapat ang physical distancing at pagsusuot ng face mask? Meron pang barrier,” she pointed out. (This is an added burden to our countrymen. Instead of buying noodles, their money will be diverted to buying face shields. Are physical distancing and use of face masks not enough?)

Marcos advised DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade that he should not be hasty as the cost of face shields is seen as an added burden shouldered or to be shouldered by workers and other commuters.

"Alam nating dagdag proteksyon ito sa ating mga kababayan, pero sana tingnan din natin ang kakayanan at kalagayan nila sa buhay. Hindi dapat mandatory, kung sino lang ang may kakayanan na makabili. Sagad na ang mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan, bakit hindi na lang ito ipamigay nang libre? " she added. (We know that this is an added protection for our countrymen but they should look at their capability and social standing. Its use should not be mandatory. It should be worn by those who could afford to buy them. Why not distribute them for free?)

Marcos asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI ) to monitor the prices of face shields as their prices tend to increase during heavy buying.

"Hindi pa nga naipatutupad ang mandatory face shield, napabalitang biglang sumirit ang halaga nito dahil lumakas ang bentahan, at tiyak na sasamantalahin na naman ito ng mga ganid na negosyante, kaya dapat agapan na ng DTI at magpatupad ng price ceiling," she said. (While the DOTr directive on the use of face shields still has to go into effect, the price is already going up and greedy businessmen are happy.)

‘’Naglalaro sa P30 hanggang P40 ang presyo ng face shield at napabalitang sumirit na ito sa halagang P60 hanggang P65 bawat piraso,’’ she said. (The price of a face shield used to cost from P30 to P40. Now, the price has increased from P60 to P65 per piece.)