Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has issued an executive order making the wearing of face masks optional outdoors, noting the province’s high vaccination rate and low number of COVID-19 cases.
Iloilo province is the third local government unit to lift the mandatory mask mandate outdoors, after Cebu province and Cebu City.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes earlier said he is relaxing the LGU’s face mask rule, but eventually changed his mind.
“Why optional? Because we trust our residents. After more than two-and-a-half years of facing COVID-19, we know what to do. We know that if you’re immunocompromised or a senior citizen, you have to augment your protection,” the governor said in a video released by the provincial government.
The Department of Health is still waiting for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue an executive order on the optional use of face masks outdoors to make it a national policy.
The DOH, as the chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), said there is only a “verbal approval” and an EO is still needed.
DOH acting Sec. Maria Rosario Vergeire, however, said the outdoor fask mask mandate will still be required in public transportation and schools, as well as for those who are senior citizens, with comorbidities, or are immunocompromised.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said he is in favor of requiring all commuters to continue wearing face masks.
“The prevailing infection numbers show the virus has not been fully controlled and we should not let our guard down,” Bautista said.
The Department of Tourism, for its part, said it is supporting the IATF recommendation on the optional wearing of face masks in open spaces.
The DOT emphasized the urgent need for the national government to adapt to prevailing global practices, and to be consistent with protocols implemented by ASEAN neighbors on entry processes and health and safety protocols.
Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco said based on a comparative analysis of mask mandates, COVID-19 incidence, and tourist arrivals of the Top 5 ASEAN countries comprised of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, the easing of mask mandates did not contribute to the surge in COVID-19 cases.
