CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with the government’s continuous fight against Covid-19, public commuters and drivers here are still required to wear face masks inside public transportation.
This reminder was made by no less than Lt. Col. Evan Viñas, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) spokesperson, who noted that there were commuters who still didn’t wear their face masks when they used public transportation here.
“Pipila ang atong masita. Although dili kaayo daghan kay gaprotiher man pud sila sa ilang kaugalingon (We have called out several people. Although, not that many as they also protect themselves),” Viñas said in a phone interview on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
The local police of Cagayan de Oro have been continuously conducting inspection to all public utility vehicles (PUV) in different areas in this city to ensure that the said rule has been followed.
Although President Marcos Jr. lifted the mask-wearing mandate by signing the Executive Order No. 7 on October 28 last year, public must still follow the mask wearing in healthcare facilities, medical transport vehicles, and all types of public transportation as stated under EO No. 7.
Elderly, individuals with comorbidities, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, unvaccinated and symptomatic individuals are still being encouraged to wear face masks.
Dr. Teodulfo Joselito Retuya, Jr., city’s top epidemiologist, earlier said the City Health Office (CHO) is planning to provide cloth face masks for individuals who are found not wearing face masks inside a public transport.
The stricter implementation of mask wearing in the city, Retuya said, is one of the good practices of the local government, which contributes to the lower Covid-19 cases here.
“Nagtuman gihapon ta nga dili mag mask sa outdoor, dili kita manghilabot. Apan ang atong Presidente tataw nga aduna sya’y gibutang nga mga exemptions,” Retuya said during the live Covid-19 updates on Feb. 6.
(We are still following the not wearing of face masks outdoors; we will not interfere. However, our President has clearly stated the exemptions.)
The city epidemiologist also added that providing face masks would be a much better addition after calling out those commuters who didn’t wear their face masks.
The cloth-type face masks have been chosen as the city health officials here understood the financial challenges of some Kagay-anons in buying disposable face masks.
Choosing the primary implementer of the said strategy is still in discussion; whether the Philippine National Police or the Roads and Traffic Administration.
As of Feb. 7, there are only 10 active Covid-19 cases in Cagayan de Oro, of which eight are currently admitted in the different hospitals here and the remaining two are admitted in the temporary treatment and monitoring facility (TTMF).