CEBU CITY – Mayor Michael Rama here is standing by his executive order (EO) that made the wearing of face masks in this city “non-obligatory.”

Contrary to the pronouncement of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., Rama said he is not deferring the implementation of his EO No. 5 entitled “Declaring the use of face mask within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Cebu as non-obligatory but a measure of individual self-preservation and protection.”

Rama said there is nothing to stop as his EO did not call for the lifting of the face mask policy.

“I cannot stop it because there is nothing to be stopped. The order did not say that the face mask policy will be lifted but just making it non-obligatory,” Rama said Thursday, Sept. 1.

Rama emphasized that wearing of face mask remains mandatory in hospitals and for those who are immunocompromised.

“But in open spaces, it is non-obligatory. In enclosed areas, it’s up to the establishments,” said Rama.

“Non-obligatory is practically ‘it’s up to you.’ It is empowering the people,” Rama added.

While insisting on the enforcement of his EO, Rama said he doesn’t want to quarrel with national government officials.

“I respect the President and Secretary Abalos. I have consulted with my lawyers and we will be awaiting their (national government officials) input to check if it does not contradict on our autonomy,” Rama said.

Rama said he felt slighted when Department of Health officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday, Aug. 31, lamented that there was no consultation when he issued the EO.

“I didn’t like it when she said they were not consulted,” said Rama.

Rama said the Local Government Code gives the city “full autonomy and full decentralization.”

Rama said the city has spent P18 billion for its Covid-19 response.

“How much did the DOH spend for that?” Rama said.

Rama said there was no need for him to consult with the DOH as under the law, it is the government agencies who should consult with LGUs.

In a statement, Abalos said he had a talk with Rama where the mayor supposedly agreed to put on hold the implementation of the EO.

Abalos said he promised to Rama that he would bring the matter to the Inter-Agency Task Force for deliberation.

“In fact, I am going to even further suggest to make Cebu City the pilot implementer of this measure since the city has always been first in espousing non-masking policies outdoors for the ease and benefit of its people amid the pandemic,” said Abalos.

Abalos also appealed to local chief executives “to do the same until I bring this matter to the IATF.”

“I have already requested the IATF Secretariat to immediately convene in order to thoroughly discuss this measure. Be assured that I, and the whole of DILG, will support its implementation as soon as this initiative gains the concurrence of the experts and policy-makers of the IATF,” Abalos said.