Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Wednesday, issued an executive order (EO) mandating the use of face masks in public places.
The mandatory use of face masks, which will be in effect until April 14, 2020, is a “response mechanism to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This, based on EO No. 060, “shall complement other response mechanisms such as the enhanced community quarantine, social distancing, and proper hygiene.”
Those who are not wearing face masks “shall be required to go home or to secure face masks.”
They “may also be subject to sanctions, such as but not limited to reprimand and/or the filing appropriate charges pursuant to Republic Act No. 11332, and other applicable laws”
“This EO is subject to the issuances of the DOH (Department of Health), IATF-EID (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases), and the advisories of WHO (World Health Organization) on the management of COVID-19 vis-a-vis response mechanism policies and programs,” the EO stated.
The Iloilo Provincial Government is also implementing the same measure “to prevent the further spread of COVID-19”
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved on same day an ordinance requiring the use of face masks in “public places such as public markets, supermarkets department stores, public plazas, churches, malls, restaurants, workplaces, streets, pharmacies, and the like.”
Those found violating the ordinance will be fined P2 thousand or imprisoned for 10 days.IMT
Photo by Arnold Almacen
