The government's pandemic task force has "made a decision" on the mandatory wearing of face shields and it is now up to President Duterte to approve it.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Metro Manila mayors called on the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to finally lift the face shield policy as the number of fresh daily coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases has plummeted while vaccination rate has steadily increased.
In a video message, Roque said that the ball is now in the hands of the President.
"Eh, paano po yung face shields? Meron na pong desisyon (What about the face shields? The IATF has reached a decision)," he said, without specifying what the decision was.
"Ito ay (It is now up) for approval and possibly for announcement by the President himself," he added.
In June, President Duterte said he preferred that people only be required to wear face shields in hospitals. However, the IATF opposed the easing of the rules on wearing face shields and appealed that the rule be kept.
After the Department of Health (DOH) reported that a total of 17 individuals contracted the feared Delta variant on June 21, Duterte decided to keep mandatory the wearing of face shields both indoors and outdoors.
In September, Duterte finally lifted the mandatory requirement on the use of face shields outdoors, except in closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings.
Metro Manila mayors renewed their call to the IATF this week. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno even became the first local chief executive in the region to issue an order limiting the use of face shields in medical facilities only.
While awaiting the announcement, Roque appealed to local chief executives to continue implementing the face shield policy.
He noted that IATF policies are ratified by the President and should be implemented.
"'Wag po kayo mag-alala, pinag-aaralan naman po 'yan at baka naman po ma-lift na 'yan (Don't worry. The IATF is studying it so it may be lifted soon)," Roque said.
"Konting pasensya lang po pero kailangan sundin naman po natin ang chain of command sa Executive Branch of government (We ask for your patience but we need to follow the chain of command in the Executive Branch of government)," he added.