CEBU CITY – “I do not draft policy out of capricious whim.”
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said this Friday, June 10, as she defended her Executive Order (EO) that eased the wearing of face masks as a protocol to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Garcia also shrugged off the statement of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año who said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) does not recognize her EO.
“I am amused,” said Garcia who let out a big laugh when asked by reporters to comment on Año’s statement. “That’s up to him (Año). I think he’s going out already,” the lady governor said.
OPTIONAL
Garcia clarified that EO No. 16 that she issued last June 8 does not totally scrap the wearing of face mask policy.
The governor’s EO entitled “Rationalizing the wearing of face masks within Cebu” states that the use of face masks “shall be optional in well-ventilated and open spaces.”
“Optional. That’s the key word. That’s your choice, it’s up to you if you continue wearing face masks,” Garcia said.
Under the EO, wearing of face masks “shall be required only in closed and or air-conditioned spaces.”
“Persons who are unwell with symptoms of the Covid-19 such as fever, cough or runny nose are required to wear masks at all times when they leave their homes,” Garcia said in the EO.
IN CEBU ONLY
Garcia observed that her EO has “caused a whirlwind of reaction throughout the country” but pointed out that the order is only applicable in Cebu.
In a statement, Año warned that the police will continue to “confront, apprehend, and arrest” those who will violate the guidelines such as the wearing of face masks set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
Garcia insisted that her previous order barring the police from arresting those who will be caught not wearing face masks will stand.
“In Cebu, you do not apprehend nor do you fine. Give them face masks,” Garcia said. “I am calling on the PNP not to make the apprehensions. Remember, there is operational control for the local government over the police,” Garcia added.
WITHIN AUTHORITY
Garcia also emphasized that it was within her authority when she issued the EO.
She cited Section 105 of the Local Government Code that stipulates the period when the Secretary of Health can supervise a local government unit. “Local autonomy must prevail. We know our situation here,” Garcia said.
Section 105 states that in cases of epidemics, pestilence, and other widespread public health dangers, the Secretary of Health may, upon the direction of the President and in consultation with the local government unit concerned, temporarily assumed direct supervision and control over the health operations in any local government unit for the duration of the emergency but in no case exceeding a cumulative period of six months.
“With the concurrence of the local government unit concerned, the period for such direct national control and supervision may be further extended,” Section 105 added.
PRACTICE NO MORE
Garcia pointed out that wearing of face masks is no longer being practiced in some areas as some people has grown tired of observing the protocol. “I am just formalizing what is being practiced. That is why I said I am rationalizing,” Garcia said.
She also asked why her EO became an issue when the wearing of face masks was not strictly enforced during the campaign rallies leading to last May elections.
“We are just formalizing what is actually happening. We had huge crowds in the campaign rallies. Was there anybody checking if they were wearing face masks?” Garcia said.
“Why no one was arrested in rallies. You do an about face because there is no more campaign sorties. Why they never made an arrest during the campaign period? You did not apprehend those who attended rallies without wearing face masks.”
ANTI-POOR
Garcia said the mandatory wearing of face masks has also become an anti-poor policy. “You have to understand the people. I am speaking for the many more who have to budget out of their meager salary so much for face masks,” Garcia said.
She added that some countries have already scrapped the face mask rule in open spaces. The wearing of face masks can also cause adverse effects on someone’s health, she said.
Some have experienced hyperventilation while there were some whose asthma has worsened because of constant wearing of face masks, Garcia said. “There are those who would wish to breath in pure oxygen, the more beneficial sea air that has been proven to be good to your lungs. Let’s not bring the wearing of face masks to a ridiculous level.”