‘IT CAN BE DONE’: Guv favors voluntary wearing of face masks

By John Noel E. Herrera

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said that the proposed voluntary wearing of face masks can be done in the province.

But in his press conference on Thursday, Oct 27, 2022, Defensor clarified that he is still waiting for “any issuance from the national government.”

He added that they still need to follow the COVID-19 Alert Level Systems wherein Iloilo province is currently at Alert Level 1.

“Ano ang naka-butang sa COVID-19 Alert Level 1? Pwede na magbukas ang mga establishment, kag pwede na kamo ka tipon, ka-mass gathering, basta ang nag-sulod kag naga-intra vaccinated,” Defensor said.

The governor also emphasized the importance of vaccination in loosening restrictions and other health protocols, like wearing of face masks.

“Sa subong ara pa ang COVID-19 sa aton and may trend kita nga naga saka last two weeks. Ara pa ang problema, ugaling kung magbukas ang establishments kag mag mass gathering kita, kag bakunado kita, basi indi kita malat-an or kung malat-an ka, ti hindi ka matam-an. It is reasonable to believe nga makabulig ang vaccination sa pagbukas sang establishments kag sa mas gatherings,” Defensor said.

“Ang aton gatekeeping indicators, ang unod sang ICU (intensive care unit) beds, ti dyutay siya, ti basi tungod sa bakuna, that is why sa Alert Level 1 vaccination is still required, because until now, nga wala pa matapos ang problema, that is our frontline strategy,” he added.

As of October 20, the COVID-19 vaccination data indicated that 1.29 million persons in Iloilo province are now fully-vaccinated, but only 273,472 have had their first booster shots and only 19,749 availed of the second booster.

Full vaccination means the person has been administered the second dose in a 2-dose series or a single-dose vaccine.

The province also recorded a total of 48,423 COVID-19 cases which included 45,830 recoveries, and 1,596 deaths.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas also told Daily Guardian that he “fully supports” the upcoming Executive Order by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. making the wearing of face masks voluntary in indoor settings.

Tourism Secretary Christine Frasco earlier revealed that Marcos will issue an EO making the wearing of face masks voluntary.

However, it will still be required in public transportation, medical transportation, and medical facilities.

Unvaccinated individuals, persons with comorbidities, and senior citizens are also “highly encouraged” to wear face masks.

Despite the current rising trend in COVID-19 cases in the city, Treñas also cited that other countries already started discarding the mandatory wearing of face masks, and it was already “time to open up the economy.”

Data from the Department of Health Western Visayas (DOH 6) showed that as of Oct 27, the city already logged a total of 35,455 COVID-19 cases (453 active, 34,240 recoveries and 744 fatalities) since the pandemic broke out.