CEBU CITY -Inihayag ni Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama sa isang panayam nitong Huwebes, Setyembre 1 na hindi niya ipagpaliban ang kanyang EO sa ‘non-obligatory’ na paggamit ng mga face mask sa mga open space ng lungsod.
Nilinaw ni Rama na hindi umaano ito nangangahulugang tuluyan ng aalisin ang pagsusuot ng face mask.
Binigyang-diin pa ng alkalde ang termino sa EO na ‘non-obligatory’ kung saan magiging boluntaryo umano sa isang indibidwal ang paggamit nito at wala pa umanong mali dito dahil malinaw na nakasaad na ipapatupad sa mga ‘open spaces’ ng lungsod.
“That is self-preservation,” ani Rama.
Hindi naman umano nagustuhan ni Rama ang pahayag ng Department of Health (DOH) na kailangang konsultahin muna ang ahensiya bago ang pagpalabas ng EO.
Tiniyak naman nito sa mga opisyal ng pambansang pamahalaan na bukas sila sa pakikipag-usap para mapapabuti ang EO ng lungsod.
May tiwala naman umano ito sa kanyang na mga nasasakupan na may maayos na pag-uugali sa publiko at kapag nasa ibang lugar.
Prayoridad pa umano ngayon ng pamahalaang lungsod ay ang iba pang medical concerns, lalo na ang dengue at ilang nakakahawang sakit gayong balik-pasukan na.
Narito ang pahayag na inilabas ni Rama:
“I have high respects for Secretary Abalos. He is my friend, a close one already I believe. Much so with President BBM and VP Sara.
We hope the national government will update its policies soon relative to the current circumstances of the pandemic and the unique conditions in every place in our archipelago.
His proposal to have Cebu City as pilot area is a good one. I welcome it. It would be appreciated much greater if we do so as One Cebu Island. Gov. Gwen Garcia started it last June. Mayors Jonas Cortes and Junard Chan are also aligned with us on this.
Meantime, I trust that the Cebuanos, our constituents and transients from the province, are responsible enough in the manner they will conduct themselves in public and when in other places.
Our priority now are the other medical concerns, especially dengue and some infectious diseases, now that our children go to school.
Our police force also needs to focus on very important matters with much mobility now around the city. Their presence is more needed, especially even at sitio level.
After the success of Pasigarbo, we will improve further as we deal ahead for Nov. 1 and 2, the Christmas holidays, Sinulog 2023 that will be a big one at SRP, and our 86th Charter Day.
What we do in dealing with the current circumstances that concern public health is shared responsibility and mutual respect. Let us all be part of the solution in the challenges of public health, for …
… Together, we can make better things happen for Cebu City.”
