The order to drop the mandatory use of face shields in Iloilo City will remain in effect despite the claim made by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

In a press briefing on Monday, Nov. 8, Roque said orders issued by local chief executives to scrap the mandatory wearing of face shields are “null and void.”

“Null and void for being in violation of an existing executive policy decreed by the President himself in the exercise of police powers,” he explained.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas disagreed with Roque, saying: “As a local chief executive, the local government code provides that local governments have local autonomy.”

“Under a pandemic, the LGUs (local government Units) all comply with all health standards, but the matter of the face shield is not backed by medical or scientific studies,” he stressed.

Considering the existing ordinance, Treñas requested the City Council to suspend the provisions on the requirement on face shields.

“The City Council will deliberate the matter of the face shields requirement and as city mayor, I will await the results of the same,” he said.

During yesterday’s (Nov. 9) session, the councilors referred the request of the mayor to the Committee on Health for study, report and recommendations.

The motion to do so was raised by Councilor Ely Estante, author of Regulation Ordinance No. 2020-06 that mandates the use of face masks and face shields.

“I author this ordinance but this is the ordinance of the whole council. So they could also make their some suggestion and recommendation but I suggest that since we will give chance to the national government to make proper guidelines on the uniformed implementation of the removal of face shield, especially on public places,” Estante said during the deliberation.

Estante is taking into consideration the appeal of the national government to local governments to wait for the final decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases regarding the removal of face shields as additional protection against COVID-19 infection.

“We are exercising caution for the local economy, we can pass any legislation for the benefit of our constituents but we will give chance to the national government since they pronounced that on Thursday, Nov. 11, they will be coming up with an updated recommendation on the non-wearing of face shield,” he said.

Councilor Alan Zaldivar, who chairs the Committee on Health, said he respects the wisdom of the mayor in pushing for the non-mandatory use of face shields.

“Considering that we have almost reached our herd immunity of almost 75 percent, with that we understand nga well-protected na ang mga pumoluyo sang Syudad sang Iloilo,” said Zaldivar.

The councilor assured that his committee will speed up its study, report and recommendations on Treñas request.IMT