Local government units (LGUs) may still implement the mandatory wearing of face masks in their respective areas under certain circumstances, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said LGUs may require their constituents to wear masks in outdoor and indoor settings if there is crowding. She added that doing so is still aligned with the policy of the national government.

“The local governments have that prerogative of imposing this kind of mandates, for example sa mask (in masking), as long as they are aligned with the protocols or policies of the national government,” she said in a press briefing on Friday, Oct. 28.

Vergeire took as an example both the cities of Manila and San Juan for the observance of All Saints’ Day. In Manila, it was announced that people visiting the Manila North Cemetery and the Manila South Cemetery from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 are required to wear face masks.

In San Juan, face masks will be mandatory if the number of visitors reach the 50 percent capacity of the cemetery, said Vergeire.

“Both cities and both mayors are aligned with the national protocols. Kasi ang policy natin (Because our policy) for voluntary use of masks outdoors would be—we will be voluntarily removing our masks outdoors in low-risk settings and among low-risk individuals,” said Vergeire.

“Kapag ang isang lugar na nasa labas kayo ay nakita natin na puno ng tao (When we see an outdoor space full of people), which happens during Undas, that means it is already high-risk. And that is why our mayors are imposing this kind of mandate para sa mask dito sa darating na (in masking this coming) Undas,” she added.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. allowed the voluntary wearing of face masks in “open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation” last September.

Marcos is also set to allow the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor settings except in healthcare facilities including but not limited to clinics, hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, dialysis clinics; medical transport, and public transport.

The executive order for the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor settings will be issued in the coming days, said Vergeire.

“The executive order as agreed on during our recent Cabinet meeting will be issued soon. That was a commitment by the President because he approved the proposal during the time that we had the Cabinet meeting,” said Vergeire.

“We are not certain as to when it is going to come out but I think it's going to come out in the coming days,” she added.