Senator Sonny Angara said he hopes that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases would hold dialogues with local government units (LGUs) to discuss the mandatory wearing of face masks against Covid-19.

In an interview with The Chiefs, Angara said that while he understands why Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is making the wearing of face masks optional, it would be best for the national task force to hold dialogues with local government authorities to thresh out the matter.

“I think, maybe there's room for some dialogue between the parties here. I can understand where Governor Gwen is coming from because of the pandemic—Cebu is a province that's dependent on tourism income,” Angara pointed out.

“So, for jobs or incomes, or revenue, I understand the point of the Governor in trying to come up with a pro-active policy regarding the wearing of masks. And it has basis because if you check other countries, in Europe, United States, even here in our region, in Indonesia, they’ve lifted the wearing of masks outdoors. That is already optional. Singapore did the same.

Even Thailand, Angara pointed out, is ready to come up with a policy making the wearing of face mask optional and is now only waiting to be ratified by the Prime Minister.

“So, definitely, there is Science which supports the optional wearing of masks outdoors,” Angara said.

“I understand the policy of requiring it in crowded or dense places, where social distancing is not possible, like bus stop. Bus, jeepney, train, MRT stations, and markets—that's understandable. We'll require masks there, because social distancing is difficult,” he pointed out.

“But in open spaces, in provinces, would you require them to still wear face masks? I don’t think so—it seems a little outdated. But it seems it’s the recommendatioinof our doctors in the IATF. I tried to ask around, apparently that is their recommendations. They're trying to err on the side of caution,” he said.

That is why, a dialogue, he said, would be best and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) can assure it won’t be too strict in enforcing the policy especially in places where there is little risk of contagion.

“Like, there's just one person walking on an empty space, ia-aresto mo pa ba yun (Would you still arrest the person)? Hindi na siguro. Parang, let common sense prevail,” Angara pointed out.

The Cebu Provincial Board (CBP) last Tuesday, June 14, adopted the executive order issued by Garcia making the wearing of face masks in open spaces optional but mandatory inside tight and enclosed spaces like restaurants and convention centers.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, in a statement, said he too backs Cebu’s policy on optional wearing of face mask.

“Learning from my visit to Singapore, they no longer require masks when outdoors and the convention centers and restaurants are at full capacity,” Gatchalian noted.

“The effect is a resurgence of their tourism industry to shore up government revenues,” he said.