The revolt of the Lapulapus: Challenging the politics of science
The battle cry for local autonomy during the COVID-19 pandemic was all started by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. Remember that time when she modified the IATF guidelines on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) arriving at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) more than a year ago?
The feisty governor revolted against the national government’s policy of harmonizing COVID-19 response and clamping LGU’s power of local autonomy when she issued an executive order (EO) making the wearing of face masks in public areas voluntary.
It seems that the governor’s defiance against the mask mandate of the national government has gained support this time from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who issued his EO, making the wearing of face masks voluntary except when inside medical facilities. Reports say that Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City will follow suit.
DOH stood pat, claiming that the possibility and the risk of infections would be higher because the safeguards were not there. The health department will further study removing mask mandates once there is already adequate protection for our population through vaccinations. However, the DOH is having difficulties achieving its vaccination targets, so the data on adequate protection may not be available soon.
The defiant descendants of Lapulapu insist that their EO is all about the people’s freedom of choice.The DILG made 180 degrees turn. Then Secretary Año insisted on implementing a uniform national policy, but incumbent Secretary Abalos is standing on the middle ground by brokering a compromise of making Cebu City a test case.
More than two years is enough to educate people about the risks of COVID-19. The tools that can provide protection are now readily available. How far can our COVID-19 policies influence the behavior of the Filipino people to achieve a common national goal of controlling the pandemic? Today, many follow the health protocols to the letter. Still, a look at public places also shows that many openly violate the policy or pretend to follow it by improperly wearing masks.
While the pain of sanctions compels people to follow the law, its legitimacy lies not in the Sword of Damocles hanging over one’s head, but in how the wisdom of the policy appeals to one’s innate sense of logic and reason. Finally, a department whose reputation is tainted with corruption and inefficiency has lost the moral ascendancy to restrain the people’s freedom of choice even during the pandemic.