The agency would also consider asking Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia to explain her policy of making face masks optional outdoors, Interior Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing III told a televised news briefing on Monday.
Mr. Densing said the DILG regional director in Cebu was coordinating with the governor so she could change her order. She said the country’s pandemic task force should respect the autonomy of local governments, adding that forcing people to wear face masks outside is unimplementable. Mr. Guevarra cited the 1987 Constitution, which says the president exercises general supervision over local government units.
“Living with COVID will include wearing a face mask in crowded, enclosed spaces, as many countries learned during the SARS and other contagions,” she said in a statement. “Really, it’s a small price to pay for our families’ health.”