Malacañang on Monday warned local government units (LGUs) for defying the mandatory face shield policy in public spaces, saying that the mandatory rule remains in effect unless the government's COVID-19 task force says otherwise.
"Ang desisyon po ng IATF, ay desisyon din ng Presidente. So ang desisyon po ngayon ay kailangan ipatupad muna ang mga face shields habang pinagaaralan po," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing.
Roque made the statement after the cities of Davao, Manila, Iloilo, among others, announced the scrapping of the mandatory face shield policy.
"Mayors are under the supervision of the President. Let us follow the chain of command," Roque emphasized.
On Monday, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced that he is lifting the mandatory face shield requirement across the city except in medical facilities.
Just hours after, MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said the 17 local chief executives in the capital region agreed to only require face shields in "critical areas," such as hospitals, health centers, and public utility vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) urged them to postpone the new policy as to not "create confusion" and just wait for the IATF resolution.
