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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Abalos sees the need to harmonize IATF policies with LGUs vs Covid-19

Abalos sees the need to harmonize IATF policies with LGUs vs Covid-19

Published Sep 6, 2022 12:57 pm

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) sees the need to harmonize the policy of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) with that of the local government units (LGIs) amid the controversy brought by the decision of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to lift restrictions on the mandatory use of face masks in public places.

In an interview over CNN Philippines, Abalos said he talked anew with Rama and reminded him of the IATF policies in the fight against Covid-19.

“Hindi ko maintindihan yung sinasabi niya (Rama) eh. Ayoko na magkaroon ng miscommunication, (I don’t understand his point. I do not want any miscommunication), so it's better to just move on,’’ Abalos said.

“Just give me a few days. Let's make a process here because if everyone will do as he wishes, baka magkagulo naman tayo (things might turn chaotic). We respect autonomy of course but under the circumstances, we got the national law, we got the local law,’’ he told Rama.

At present, Abalos said that the IATF might come up with its decision on the matter by the end of the week but remained mum to provide any details when pressed on what transpired during the meeting.

“Well number one, as previously agreed with the IATF, kay Pangulong Digong hanggang ngayon (from the time of President Duterte up to the present), everything would be kept a secret until the final result,’’ Abalos maintained.

Abalos apologized for not divulging anything about the IATF meeting but assured ‘that this (wearing of face mask) issue is being discussed, being studied right now and I am sure in a week's time tapos na ito (this will be over), before the end of the week.’’

The DILG chief pointed out that what is being discussed is ‘all about mask mandate outdoors’ issue and not the indoor wearing of face mask policy.

“May point of view diyan na (here that) we are the only country and Myanmar in the ASEAN na meron pang mask mandate, yung iba wala na (that still have mask mandate, other countries do not have anymore). Of course meron naman nagsasabi about the vaccination natin, mga booster etc. (there are others who say something about our vaccination, booster processes etc.) So we have to weigh everything at yun ho ang pinag uusapan (and that is what is being discussed), more or less,’’ Abalos maintained.

In the report, Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire said that other localities might follow suit if one city or town decides to impose the non-obligatory wearing of face masks.

“That's why sinasabi ko nga nagpasabi ako sa mga mayors, governors (I am telling that I sent a message to the mayors, governors) please let us act as one here,’’ Vergeire said.

She added that the IATF is working very hard on the process which will be presented to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. upon its conclusion.

“Well ilang tao na tayo nag IATF (How many years have we got the IATF)? And that has always been the process eversince. From the IATF binababa natin ito at lahat sumusunod (we bring down to the local government units (LGUs and everybody observes this). (Chito A. Chavez)

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Cebu City DILG Benhur Abalos
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