ILOILO City – Unlike Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Mayor Jerry Treñas is not keen on making mandatory anew the use of face shields in public places amid the threat of the Omicron variant of the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Indi ko ka intindi ngaa panginmatyan gid ‘na nila,” Treñas said.
For Treñas, the best defense is getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
This southern city already vaccinated 376,897 people or 112.45 percent of its target population (as of Nov. 29) but the mayor said there is no let up in the vaccination campaign.
Treñas emphasized the need for booster shots, noting that the vaccines could wane over time.
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), through an ordinance, temporarily suspended Regulatory Ordinance 2020-095 or “The Face Mask Ordinance to Include Wearing of Face Shields/Eye Protectors.”
“Gin-suspend naton temporarily kay indi pa naton mabal-an kon ano ang sitwasyon sang COVID kay may ara naman subong Omicron variant. Mahapos lang kay once mag depende naman ‘ta sa national IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) nga ibalik ang face shield, then i-lift lang ang suspension,” said Councilor Ely Estante, author of the ordinance.
However, Estante emphasized that in compliance with IATF’s policy, the mandatory use of face shields shall be imposed only on hospitals, clinics, quarantine facilities, medical laboratories, and those serving as frontliners in all alert levels.
Defensor earlier considered reviving the use of face shields as part of the provincial government’s preparation against the Omicron variant.
“Puede nga ibalik. Liwaton ko, kon matuod ang proposition nga ang COVID-19 maagi sa aton nga mata in the same manner it passes through our mouth, then the face shield is a good help,” he stressed./PN
