Garcia feels vindicated over IATF mask policy

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn feels vindicated after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Managing of Infectious Diseases (IATF) finally “reaffirmed” her optional mask policy for Cebu Province.

Cebu is one of the very first local government units in the country to implement optional wearing of face mask outdoors. On several occasions, Garcia was called out by then Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Eduardo Año for her policy, which the national leadership believes does not align with the national policy.

But the governor stood still and insisted on what she believed is right to protect the interest of the Cebuanos and the economy of the province. According to Garcia, the recent position of the IATF proved her right.

 “Sometimes we’re the lone voices, we were labeled as mavericks but in the end our ground breaking and visionary policies were proven right,” Garcia said.

Garcia was at loggerhead with Año after the then outgoing cabinet official wanted the governor’s executive order, allowing optional use of face mask in open spaces, revoked.

Garcia insisted on the importance of “balancing act” in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think however bumpy our relationship may have been in the past, I think we are in smooth sailing under the new composition of IATF because I can see like us here in Cebu, we really need to do a balancing act between protecting the health and safety of our constituents and at the same time considering and giving utmost importance to the livelihoods of our people. It’s not one or the other because lives need livelihood,” Garcia said.

 The IATF recently recommended the optional use of face mask in open spaces which reportedly got a verbal approval from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

 This after Cebu City had also implemented the same rule. Garcia thanked Rama for always being in the forefront of promoting “One Cebu Island”.

Garcia said that the leaders of Cebu have all agreed for the constituents. The governor recently announced her plan to expand the optional use of face mask in indoors like what Singapore is doing.

She, however, said that she still has to consult and get the consensus of the different government agencies and all the stakeholders concerned about this. — FPL (FREEMAN)