The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday urged the Cebu City government to follow the national policy on the wearing of masks.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said the policy should emanate from one body — the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

"Because in the IATF, you've got medical experts, you have economists, businessmen, etc. We survived Covid-19 because of IATF," he said.

Abalos said he wants to talk to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in connection with his mask policy.

"I will keep our communication open, and as DILG secretary, I would like to hear his side. What is his basis," he added.

A former local executive himself, Abalos said he understands Rama's intention.

"It's well-meaning, hopefully, you get what you want if the IATF allows it. Just give me a few days, let's make a process here, that's important. Because if everyone will just do as he wishes, we might get into trouble," he told Rama.

"I don't want to have miscommunication, it's better to just move on anyway, all of us mayors, we all want something good for our constituency, but please, we must move as one," he appealed.

Abalos said he hopes that the national mask policy will be in place by week's end.

"What is important is that there should be a process and there must be a policy for everyone. I hope everyone here understands that," he stressed.