WEARING of face masks in well-ventilated and open spaces in Cebu City is still required as Mayor Michael "Mike" Rama refused to adopt Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's executive order.
Rama told reporters Friday, June 10, 2022, that the situation of the city and the province is far different.
The mayor explained that the geographic situation of the city has resulted in a compact population, especially in the lowland area.
"It does not mean, that in the future we will not get into having the leniency and the liberality with the face mask requirement," said Rama.
Rama added that he also need to discuss the matter in a convergence meeting to gather the views from the city's various stakeholders.
Related story: Cebu Province drops mask requirement in open spaces
Garcia issued an executive order (EO) Thursday, June 9, 2022, dropping the face mask requirement in open, well-ventilated spaces in Cebu Province.
Related story: DILG’s Año contradicts Gwen, to arrest face mask violators; PNP to follow order
However, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) would not recognize Garcia's EO and ordered the police to continue to “confront, apprehend, and arrest” all violators of minimum public health standards (MPHS) which includes the mandatory wearing of face mask in public places as set by the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) especially in the Province of Cebu.