CEBU CITY – Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama has no plans of withdrawing the Executive Order (EO) that gives more mobility to vaccinated individuals.
Rama said EO No. 142 or Oplan Puyo 9-8-30 is legal and justified even if it offers exclusive perks to vaccinated persons such as dining in and availing of personal care services.
“Why we would we change it? What would be the compelling reason that we should change it?” Rama told reporters.
Rama’s EO which he issued while he was the city’s Acting Mayor came under fire when Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III was interviewed in a national television.
Densing reminded local government units (LGUs) not to enforce policies that would favor vaccinated individuals while restricting the movements of non-vaccinated persons.
Rama said he is not going to argue with the DILG, maintaining that the EO was a product of a consultation with several sectors including the business community.
“I think it would be better for IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) to revisit because this is something that is not new to us. It is in the local government code that LGUs have bigger roles,” Rama said.
In defending the EO, Rama said the policy has actually caused positive impact on the economy.
“They (employers) don’t want their businesses to be closed. Never mind if they have to settle with meager earnings but at least they have a chance to slowly recoup their investments,” Rama said.