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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pacquiao hits conflicting gov't positions on face shields

Pacquiao hits conflicting gov't positions on face shields

Published Nov 10, 2021 02:38 pm

Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday, Nov. 10 criticized the conflicting statements of government officials over the policy mandating the use of face shields, urging them to harmonize their position on the issue.

Pacquiao said he hopes the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) will make an official statement on the issue as the public is confused whether or not to believe the pronouncements of Malacañang or the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“I hope the IATF will issue a formal announcement on this issue as we have been getting two views from two different entities. Parang hindi sila nag-uusap kung ano talaga ang dapat gawin (It seems they are not talking to each other on what to do),” Pacquiao said in a statement.

“Which is the correct policy? Ano ba talaga ang dapat (What should be done)? Even the MMDA Council believes that the face shield is no longer necessary. Kulang pa ba ang kinita nung mga nagpipilit na gamitin ito (Do those who insist on using face shields still need to earn)?” the senator pointed out.

“Clarity is what we need from the government at this point when COVID-19 is still raging despite the heightened vaccination program and the lower number of cases in recent days," Pacquiao said.

The senator noted the public is getting mixed signals from the government, with the presidential spokesman saying that local ordinances removing the face shields requirement “are null and void” while the DILG has a different opinion.

Health authorities, he noted, have also said that face should be mandatory only in hospital settings, vaccination sites, and similar areas where the risk of contamination is high.

Pacquiao also reiterated that the Philippines has earned the “embarrassing distinction as the only country in the world that made face shields an integral part of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but remained a “bottom-dweller” when it comes to COVID-response.

“Napakalaking palaisipan sa akin talaga kung bakit ipinipilit nila itong face shield. Alam naman natin na kalokohan lang yan at pinagkakakitaan lang pero di naman talaga nakakatulong (It is really puzzling for me why they are insisting the use of face shield. We all know that using it is just nonsense and just a means to profit but it is not really helpful),” he pointed out.

“They claim that this policy was based on a study that it can offer an additional layer of protection but did not offer clear scientific proof based on actual tests,”

But Pacquiao maintained the face shield policy is not only an inconvenience but also a waste of money for ordinary citizens who have lost their jobs due to the lockdowns.

Related Tags

face shield IATF national policy Malacañang DILG Manny Pacquiao
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