Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Tuesday, Nov. 9 slammed the Department of Health (DOH) for considering the use of goggles to replace face shields.
“Really? Naghahanap na naman sila ng gastusin sa tao?,” he said in an interview with ANC.
“You cannot ask people to continue to spend on something that is not viable, that is not feasible and that is not helpful... Hirap na hirap na ang tao. Mas mahal yung goggles (People are struggling. Goggles are more expensive),” Domagoso added.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergiere earlier said that the DOH was discussing the use of goggles as an alternative to face shields.
“I will not agree with that. Show us the data. Show us scientific studies. Pag ginamit na ‘yan ng ibang (bansa sa) mundo saka ko siya gagamitin (When other (countries in) the world use that, then I will use it)," Domagoso said.
The Manila mayor had earlier said face shields were just an additional burden to the people, and bring discomfort to senior citizens, as well as to people with asthma.
“What is there with face shields? Why insist on something, making it mandatory without science. It’s unfair to the people,” the mayor said.
Domagoso, meanwhile, stressed that the national government should instead encourage the public to get vaccinated and promote the wearing of masks.
He added that purchasing science-based medicines that can help survive critical and severe COVID patients should also be their priority.
“What we should do, more than requiring people to spend money on something that is not viable, is accelerate vaccination," he said.
“Vaccination is the solution, added protection is the solution. Then reinforcing our medical facility and buying particular medicines that scientists, doctors and specialists agree that help,” he told ANC.
Domagoso signed on Monday the executive order on the lifting of the face shield use policy in the city except in hospital settings, medical clinics, and other medical facilities.
“This is the right direction. Then patungo na tayo sa bagong approach which is what we are doing in Manila: Buhay at Kabuhayan. Life and Livelihood."