The Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) of Tagbilaran approved on Friday, May 7, 2021, a proposed ordinance mandating the compulsory wearing of face shields on top of face masks while in public areas and while taking motor vehicles.
In a telephone interview on Saturday, May 8, 2021, the SP’s chairman of the Committee on Health, Coun. Eliezer “Ondoy” Borja confirmed that the City Council approved the proposed ordinance that he sponsored on third and final reading. The proposed measure will be transmitted to the Office of the Mayor to be signed by Mayor John Geesnell Yap II and then will be published in a newspaper of general circulation before the said proposed ordinance can be fully implemented as a law.
The proposed ordinance stipulates the mandatory wearing of face shields when taking public transport. Passengers of motorcycles are required to wear face shields aside from face masks, the same new proposed ordinance said.
The wearing of face shields is required for all persons when entering government offices based in the city, public markets, and bus terminals.
The face shields should be also worn when entering private establishments or offices such as banks, restaurants, and malls among others when the private area’s management requires the wearing of the said face shields.
Borja said the wearing of face shields may provide an additional layer of protection against the Coronavirus disease (Covid).
Violators of the said proposed ordinance will be penalized with a fine ranging from P3,000 to P5,000, depending on the discretion of the court.
Moreover, Borja said that if the case doesn’t reach the court because the violator admits being at fault, the fine will be only P500.
Meanwhile, Borja clarified the passengers of motorcycles are not required to wear face shields if they are already wearing full-face helmets.