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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Cebu governor defends Rama decision making use of face masks optional

Cebu governor defends Rama decision making use of face masks optional

Published Sep 3, 2022 01:33 pm

CEBU CITY – Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia defended Mayor Michael Rama here from Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire who lamented Cebu City’s recent policy that made the wearing of face masks in open spaces non-obligatory.

Rama recently issued an Executive Order (EO) that made the use of face mask in open spaces in the city optional.

Vergeire complained that the DOH was not consulted when Cebu City came up with the measure.

Garcia said there was no need for Rama to consult the DOH.

“I got this from Mayor Mike. The DOH supposedly reacted...that the DOH should have been consulted. Hello? Excuse me! Do you know anything about local autonomy? Please read up on RA (Republic Act) 7160 particularly Section 105,” Garcia said in a press briefing on Friday, Sept. 2, at the Capitol.

In the middle of the press briefing, she stood and grabbed a book on RA 7160.

Addressing Vergeire, Garcia cited Section 105 of RA 7160 stating that “the Secretary of Health may, upon the direction of the President and in consultation with local government unit (LGU) concerned, temporarily assume direct supervision and control over health operations in any LGU for the duration of the emergency but in no case exceeding a cumulative of six months.”

Garcia said the DOH may insist that the country is still in a state of emergency but the agency needs to get the concurrence of the LGU “for such direct supervision and control may be further extended.”

“I think you do need some read about local autonomy because you cannot at all times keep on directing LGUs to follow your policies which after all, have not totally captured the real situation on the ground,” said Garcia.

Garcia issued a similar EO in June that only requires the use of face mask in enclosed areas.

The lady governor said Covid-19 cases in the province did not shoot up even after she eased up the face mask policy.

“We the elected official, trusted by the people because they cast their votes in our favor, we are accountable to the people. And it behooves upon us to assess the actual situation on the ground, study, analyze, consult with several sectors, and decide accordingly for the good of our constituents. We are not deciding for the rest of the Philippines but we are deciding for the Cebu province. Mayor Rama has decided for Cebu City and so did our mayors in tri-cities,” said Garcia.

Garcia added that Rama confided to her that possible administrative sanctions that may be levied upon because of his recent EO were even raised.

“We went through this before. Remember when I issued EO 60 and we pointed out that fatal defect in the EO that created the IATF-IED. The DOH must consult its local counterpart but in the IATF there is no representation whatsoever by the LGU,” Garcia said.

Garcia said “we act in accordance with the law” in coming up with measures meant to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“Please respect local autonomy. You seem to forget that there is such a thing as RA 7160 also known as the Local Government Code,” said Garcia.

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