Despite the issuance of Executive Order 3 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority encourages the public to continue wearing their masks outdoors.
Under the said EO, the wearing of masks outdoors is now optional.

"In light of Executive Order 3 making the wearing of masks outdoors optional, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has encouraged the public to continue wearing masks outdoors and in open spaces," the agency's statement yesterday read.

Engr. Carlo Dimayuga III, acting MMDA chairperson, said wearing masks protects the public not only against the Covid-19 virus, but also from pollution.

Dimayuga said the agency strongly enjoins the public, particularly those who are not fully vaccinated, immunocompromised, and senior citizens, to continue wearing masks, whether indoors or outdoors, for it helps minimize the risk of getting infected with the virus and prevent its further transmission.

Meanwhile, residents of Barangay Alabang in Muntinlupa City said they will still wear their masks despite EO 3.

In an interview over Daily Tribune's morning program Gising Na!, Barangay Captain Tintin Abas-Ding yesterday said, "Despite President Marcos signing Executive Order 3, we still continue to wear masks because the fear is still there. We have also experienced Covid-19."

The barangay strictly implements the wearing of masks, especially among its employees.

"I still strictly implement the wearing of masks, especially when we are facing our residents of our barangay as a safeguard for the health of employees and when facing our clients in Barangay Alabang," she added.

Barangay Alabang currently has 18 active Covid-19 cases, with most of them under home quarantine.

Under EO 3, the wearing of masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation is now optional provided that physical distancing will be observed at all times.