DILG urges LGUs to pass ordinance requiring use of face masks in public
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday urged local government units to pass an ordinance requiring the wearing of face masks in public.
“We must be vigilant. This coronavirus is not a joke, so I am calling on the LGU to make sure that their citizens are always wearing a face mask when they are outside by passing an ordinance on this. This is our small way of ensuring that the virus will not spread,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in a mix of English and Filipino.
This comes after Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles last week said that Luzon residents are required to wear face masks when they go out of their homes.
Those who are covered by the Luzon-wide lockdown should either wear face masks, indigenous, reusable or do-it-yourself masks, face shields, handkerchiefs or similar protective gear “that can effectively lessen the transmission of COVID-19” whenever they go out of their residences, Nograles said.
Luzon is entering its fourth week of enhanced community quarantine where only those on “essential trips” such as buying necessities and medicines, are allowed to leave their homes.
Año said they may use improvised or home-made face masks.
The mandatory use of face masks in public is another measure that the government is implementing to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus that has infected 3,246 people and killed 152 in our country.
“Despite the fact that people are generally staying at home, heading out to buy food and other essentials is unavoidable, and this is a chance to pass the virus so it’s very important to wear face masks,” Año added.
Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, part of the Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield, also said that without a local ordinance, the Philippine National Police can only reprimand, ask to go home or deny of entry into quarantine controlled points without local ordinance.
He echoed Año’s call for the passage of ordinances of localities. — Kristine Joy Patag
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Photo shows members of the Philippine National Police deployed in Manila amid COVID-19 threat. The STAR/Edd Gumban
President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020 declares an enhanced community quarantine over all of mainland Luzon, an expansion of an earlier general community quarantine over the National Capital Region.
The entire National Capital Region—16 cities and a municipality—is under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14, which means the enforcement of social distancing measures like letting fewer people on public transportation, reduced store hours, and the possibiity of curfews.
According to a memorandum issued by the Palace on Saturday, March 14, the quarantine means that "movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border points."
Travel restrictions in and out of the capital will also be implemented.
A labor group says another lockdown will never resolve rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the government announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under the enhanced community quarantine starting Monday.
“The Duterte government seems to be deliberate in focusing its efforts in imposing quarantine and lockdown measures instead of addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worsening state of the pandemic through medical solutions and scientific approach,” says Defend Jobs Philippines.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says the implementation of enhanced community quarantine is meant to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases, so hospitals and health workers will not be overwhelmed.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announces that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday, March 29.
Tuguegarao City will be placed under enhanced community quarantine from January 20 to 29 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba approved the request of Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano to place the city under ECQ for 10 days.
According to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, the city currently has 246 active cases.
BREAKING NEWS | ENERO 19, 2021 RIATF INAPRUBAHAN NA ANG PAGSASAILALIM SA TUGUEGARAO CITY SA 10-ARAW NA...
Posted by Cagayan Provincial Information Office on Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Batangas, one of the provinces hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, has reported no new cases of the disease for two consecutive days.
The provincial DOH Office says the number of COVID-19 cases in the province stood at 91 with no new cases as of Wednesday afternoon.
Lipa City has the most cases with 26, followed by Batangas City (21) and Nasugbu (11).
Tanauan City has the fourth most cases with eight, followed by Bauan (5) and Alitagtag (3). Cuenca and Sto. Tomas City had two cases each, while the municipalities of Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Juan, San Pascual and Taal had one case each, respectively. — The Filipino Connection
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