The City of Manila will proceed with the implementation of an executive order lifting the face shield use policy, Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said on Monday, Nov. 8.
This, after, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had earlier said that Domagoso's executive order had no effect and was null and void because it was in violation of an existing Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) order that required the use of face shields.
All local chief executives need to follow the chain of command in the executive branch, he said.
The Manila mayor, however, stood by his decision, and reiterated that the city will not postpone the implementation of the order.
“Well, he is entitled to his opinion. As far as the Local Government Code is concerned, it is within the power of the local chief executive under Section 16, the general welfare clause. His opinion is as good as mine,” Domagoso said in an interview.
“We, the local government unit and all other elected officials, have a responsibility to take care of our people," he added.
In the Local Government Code, it stated that every local government unit “shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.”
Domagoso also challenged Roque to first file a case against a “certain mayor” who had signed a similar issuance earlier this year.
“Pwede naman nila subukan. Well, wala naman makakapigil sa kanila. Dapat may suspinde muna sila isang Mayor (They can try. Well, nothing can stop them. They must first suspend a Mayor)," he said.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergiere also appealed on Monday to put the issuance on hold and wait for the recommendation of experts and the national government's decision on the use of face shield.
Domagoso signed earlier today the executive order on the lifting of the face shield use policy in the city except in hospital setting, medical clinics, and other medical facilities.
Manila was the first city to declare the removal of face shield policy.
“As far as Manila is concerned, we are vaccinated, the people. We have low infection . The people of Manila deserve some ease. And that’s what we’re after. Tao muna," he said.
"Pinagbigyan ko na sila, matagal na panahon. (I’ve let them, for a long time) Puro sila (They are always) analyze and paralyze. I think it’s high time for the people of Manila to benefit from the vaccination. The people paid the price already. At the very least, ang matanggap nila ngayon is kaluwagan (what they will receive is the easing )."