AN ORDINANCE seeking exemption on the use of face shields in Baguio City is now up for third reading.
Councilor Mylen Yaranon explained the amended measure passed on second reading seeks to give particular exemptions based on common sense, applicable to the needs of the residents but would still adhere to the minimum health protocol set by the health department through the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF).
“This amended ordinance has to be clear to the residents and even visitors to prevent the possible abuse to prevent them from wearing face masks and face shields. This is a localized version of the IATF directive on the wearing of face masks and face shields to which we are finalizing the exemptions on a case to case basis,” Yaranon said.
The City Council earlier approve an ordinance mandating the wearing of face masks and face shields in places where there are convergence of people, aside from its proper disposal giving top priority to health safety.
Yaranon added exemptions include drivers of privately owned vehicles, persons with disabilities and senior citizens having medical health conditions, athletes under training, persons undergoing the process of eating and drinking, among others.
“The national directive is broad wherein there should be no need for a local ordinance, but we have been requested by our local chief executive to come up with our own ordinance. We are only introducing additional features to the ordinance but does not veer away from the national law as a preventive measure against the virus and until the vaccines are not yet present. So until the national government or the IATF says otherwise, we still have to pursue this amended ordinance, which also includes the disposal of face masks and face shields in separate containers,” the councilor said.
Based on the amended ordinance, violators will be fined P300 for the first offence, P500 for the second offence and P1,000 for the third offence.
Establishments that do not implement the ordinance will have to face penalties.
Parents of minors who will be found to have violated the ordinance will also face sanctions and penalties.
“Enforcers of this ordinance once passed will have to practice common sense in implementing this ordinance, while residents should adhere to the contents of this ordinance. Both parties, however, are reminded to follow this ordinance and to prevent abusing and disabusing this said ordinance,” Yaranon added.
