The Cebu City government has agreed to "on hold" the implementation of optional use of face masks outdoors, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Thursday, Sept. 1.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. said he had a talk with Mayor Mike Rama and he agreed to defer the implementation of executive order no. 5.

Executive order no. 5 issued on Aug. 31 declares that the use and wearing of face masks in outdoor and open spaces within the jurisdiction of Cebu City are "non-obligatory” except in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.

Abalos said he would raise the situation to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for deliberation.

He said he would suggest to the IATF to make Cebu the pilot implementer of the measure since the city has been the first one to implement the non-masking policies outdoors.

“I likewise appeal to all local chief executives to do the same until I bring this matter to the IATF. I have already requested the IATF Secretariat to immediately convene in order to thoroughly discuss this measure,” he said.

Abalos assured the interior department will support the implementation of non-obligatory face masks as soon as IATF experts and policy-makers agreed on the initiative.

“Handang makiisa ang DILG sa layunin ng bawat sektor na isulong ang mga inisyatibong makabubuti sa ating mga komunidad, kaya’t bukas ang Kagawaran na makipagtulungan sa lokal na pamahalaan sa pagpapatupad at pagpapalaganap ng mga estratihiya upang muling makabangon ang ating mga kababayan mula sa pandaigdigang pandemiyang dulot ng COVID-19,” he said.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said the ease of mask protocol in Cebu City was not consulted to them.

Health officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Verjere affirmed that the implementation of the policy should be under DILG's jurisdiction.