Revilla urges DOH, IATF to distribute free face masks, face shields

While the Philippine Government continues to deliberate whether to revert Metro Manila to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to distribute free face masks and face shields to mitigate the seemingly rapid spread of COVID-19.

The veteran legislator's call came after representatives of the country's medical community suggested that Metro Manila be placed under ECQ again to curb the overcrowding of patients in local public and private hospitals, and insisted that further delays in implementing such quarantine measures could cause the collapse of the nation's health system.

The health sector pointed out that the transmission of COVID-19 continues to accelerate due to the exposure of people to carriers in streets and other public places. They also categorized the country's response efforts under "danger zone."

Bong Revilla stated that while authorities continue to weigh between re-implementing ECQ and reviving the local economy, the safety of the Filipino people must be an utmost priority.

"Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nanggigitata na ang face mask pero ginagamit pa rin dahil sa kawalan ng pambili, kaya para makasiguro tayo na hindi tayo magkahawa-hawa ay ang gobyerno na mismo ang mamahagi ng face mask at face shield," Revilla said.

For quicker distribution, Revilla suggested that national government cascade the distribution of face masks and face shields to local government units (LGUs). According to the Senator, this will complement efforts in accosting individuals who fail to wear face masks or face shields in public everyday. "Wala na silang dahilan o katwiran na huwag magsuot."

As of press time, COVID-19 cases in the country continues to surge to almost 100,000, with almost 4,000 additional cases recorded on July 31 and almost 5,000 additional cases on Aug. 1