Government mandate on face shield criticized in Senate

Some senators have also criticized the government’s continued mandate to wear the face shield, which some officials have recently criticized, such as Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

Senate President Tito Sotto asked, didn’t the Department of Health (DOH) think of stopping it, especially since there is no in-depth study on it?

“Have you considered the discontinuing of face shield? Because until now, there are no scientific study on the efficacy of face shield? Hindi ba sa mga hospital lang dapat ginagamit ang face shield?” Sotto asked DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.

Duque explained that everyone should wear it but there is no severe punishment for those who do not comply.

“All persons are mandated to wear facial protection… Pero as I’ve said, sir, wala hong penal provision kung hindi po sumunod,” said Duque.

This is also the view of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

“Sa minimum health standards, wearing of masks po talaga ‘yung required. ‘Yung face shield is just to provide added protection… Sa ating LGUs, sa ating ordinances makikita natin, wala pong penalty provision for the face shield, but only for not wearing the mask,” said Año.

Government mandate on face shield criticized in Senate

“We are very emphatic na pagka-meeting indoors, offices, there’s a need to wear face shield because it provides added protection,” he added.

Meanwhile, the P82.5 billion in the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program fund has more than P5 billion even if the government buys an additional vaccine supply to target herd immunity or immunization of 70 million population.

This is what came out of the bill of Sen. Panfilo Lacson.