WHEREAS, Section 16 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that “Every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.”;
WHEREAS, Article 99 of Administrative Order No. 270 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that “The Sangguniang Panlungsod, as the legislative body of the city, shall enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to Sec. 16 of the Code.”;
WHEREAS, as of 01 November 2022, 236,443 individuals in San Juan City have already been fully vaccinated, whole 98,380 individual already have first booster doses and 14,496 individuals have second booster doses in the City of San Juan;
WHEREAS, as a result of continued immunization, many countries around the world have been instituting measures such as the reopening of borders, relaxation of health and safety protocols and requirements, resulting in the immediate positive impacts to their economies;
WHEREAS, various countries around the world have begun liberalizing face masks mandates with no significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases recorded;
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 07 - 2022 has been issued by the President of the Philippines citing Resolution No. 3 -2022 of the IATF which recommended the further liberalization of the face mask mandate to make wearing of masks in indoor and outdoor settings optional or voluntary except in: healthcare facilities, medical transport, and public transport by land, air or sea.
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 07 – 2022 states that a policy of voluntary wearing of face masks in both indoor and outdoor settings is a positive step towards normalization, and a welcome development that would encourage activities and boost efforts toward the full reopening of the economy.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN, METRO MANILA, IN A SESSION DULY ASSEMBLED THAT:
SECTION 1. Executive Order No. 7 issued by the President of the Philippines is hereby ADOPTED IN TOTO.
SECTION 2. EXCEPTIONS TO THE VOLUNTARY USE OF FACE MASKS – The wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings shall be voluntary except in the following settings:
a. Healthcare facilities, including but not limited to, clinics, hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes and dialysis clinics;
b. Medical transport vehicles, such as ambulance and paramedic, rescue vehicles; and
c. Public transportation by land, air or sea
SECTION 3. ENCOURAGED USE OF FACE MASKS – Mask Wearing is highly encouraged for the:
a. Elderly;
b. Individuals with comorbidities;
c. Immunocompromised individuals;
d. Pregnant women;
e. Unvaccinated individuals; and
f. Symptomatic individuals
SECTION 4. MINIMUM PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS – The minimum public health standards (“MPHS”) intended to effectively prevent and minimize the spread of COVID-19 shall continue to be implemented in accordance with directives and guidelines provided by the Department of Health (“DOH”), the Inter-Agency Taskforce for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (“IATF”), and other government agencies.
SECTION 5. IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITY – The Office of the City Mayor through the City Health Department, Task Force Disiplina, Philippine National Police (“PNP”) – San Juan, and other implementing officers as may be authorized are hereby tasked to implement this Ordinance.
SECTION 6. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 7. REPEALING CLAUSE – All other City Ordinances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance and with Executive Order No. 7 issued by the President of the Philippines are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SECTION 8. The authority, issuance and approval hereof is subject to compliance to all other existing laws, circulars, rules and regulations.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval.