Lesser mask waste

CEBU, Philippines — With masks no longer mandatory in Cebu City, the City Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (CESET) and the barangay environmental officers (BEOs) hope to see a decrease in the number of masks ending up in streets, rivers, and dumpsites.

As reported by the city’s Public Information Office (PIO), CESET head Grace Luardo said that masks have contributed to the city’s garbage problem over the past two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Imagine if our population is one million, and in one day, we use one or two face masks. That is a significant volume of garbage that we accumulate,” Luardo said.

Luardo, the city’s “garbage czar,” said they have observed that masks thrown indiscriminately everywhere are among the items that have clogged drainage lines and waterways.

“Sa atong kadalanan, kanang manglimpyo ta sa sapa, daghan kaayo tang makit-an nga face masks. Magsakit akong dughan magtan-aw,” she said.

She said masks must be disposed of properly since these are considered hazardous and contaminated wastes, technically.

Mayor Michael Rama signed on August 31, 2022 an executive order declaring the use of masks as “non-obligatory” but a measure of individual self-preservation and protection.

Executive Order No. 5, which took effect on September 1, says the situation worldwide is indicative that the lethal effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is already wearing off and that vaccination has been proven to be an effective means in containing the spread and the impact of the coronavirus.

Rama, in a press conference, said that even if COVID-19 is still around, it is now time for the city to look beyond and shift its focus.

However, masks “generally remains to be mandatory” inside hospitals, clinics, and other medical or diagnostic facilities, subject to the policy of these facilities and/or discretion of their administrator.

Persons who are immune-compromised, sick and/or having flu-like symptoms are advised strongly to stay at home and to seek immediate medical consultation. A mask is mandatory for these people, especially when they are outside their residence.

Section 7 of the EO states that all persons, establishments, and entities, including law enforcement personnel are directed to promote self-regulation and control in order to promote health, prevent surge of infection, and propel economic recovery.

Last February 24, Rama issued an EO institutionalizing measures and approaches which are designed to promote health, economic recovery, and “freedom with shared responsibility,” as an effective means of rising up and moving forward from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other calamities. JMO (BANAT NEWS)