Mayor Jerry Treñas has backed the recommendation of the Inter-Aganecy Task Force (IATF) to make the use of face masks in outdoor spaces optional.
“I support the IATF recommendation making the wearing of [face] masks outdoor optional,” Treñas said in a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
“Immunocompromised persons may opt to continue wearing masks outdoors while others may decide not to,” he added.
In a press briefing, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles said the IATF issued a resolution relaxing the face mask requirement in the country.
“[The IATF’s recommendation is to liberalize our mask mandate and make mask-wearing outdoors voluntary across the country,” she told reporters.
“It becomes optional in open spaces or noncrowded outdoor areas with good ventilation, provided that senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear their masks, to continue wearing masks,” Angeles further said.
According to Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. “verbally approved” the recommendation.
But, she said, the public has to wait for Marcos’ executive order on the new policy.
“It’s stated in the IATF Resolution No. 1, Series of 2022… that the IATF has resolved to recommend to the president, and that the president will issue an executive order regarding this policy,” she said.IMT
