Cops to patrol resorts on Feast of San Juan

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here assured that resorts and water parks will be closed during the feast of San Juan on June 23 to 25, 2021 in compliance with the provincial government’s order.

Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, Nocppo’s information officer, said that Police Colonel Romy Palgue, Nocppo director, had already instructed police chiefs to talk with resort owners and barangay officials in their respective areas to remind them of the order, as sanctions may be imposed on them if they commit violations.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has recently issued an Executive Order for the closure of all beaches, resorts, and waterparks from June 23 to June 25, in line with the Feast of San Juan to avoid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) super spreader activities.

During the Feast of San Juan, people usually flock to the beach and water parks to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones. But with the ongoing pandemic, mass gathering is prohibited to prevent the transmission of the virus.

Although there is no need for police deployment, Donasco said that policemen will conduct patrols in resorts to ensure that nobody violates the protocol.

Donasco also warned barangay officials to monitor their respective areas as they may be held liable for any violation.

Lacson stated in the order that there is an alarming surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the province, citing the increase in confirmed cases from 15,108 on May 31, 2021, to 16,784 cases as of June 13, 2021.

In fact, the medical community of the province in a meeting on June 9, recommended the imposition of more stringent measures to address the recent COVID situation of the province.