Guv supports travel ban between Negros, Iloilo City

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he supports the suspension of sea travel between Iloilo City and Negros Occidental.

The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday issued a travel advisory temporarily suspending inbound and outbound sea travel between Negros Island to Iloilo City from May 25 to 31, 2021.

This after the National Inter-Agency ask Force approved the request of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas to place Iloilo City under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine status due to rising cases of COVID-19.

“They feel that it is one way of stopping their surge. Then, let’s be part of the solution because someday we may need something from Iloilo City,” Lacson said.

Capt. Ludovico Librilla, Coast Guard Station Negros Occidental commander, said the travel advisory followed an executive order issued by Treñas.

But Treñas stressed that the unimpeded movement of cargoes in and out of Iloilo City- Negros Island shall be guaranteed, while the moratorium for travel is only for persons.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor also issued an executive order earlier suspending the operation of tourism, recreation and accommodation establishments in the province, due to the surge in COVID-19 active cases.

Frank Carbon, Operations and Financial Consultant of Weesam Express, said that they will comply with the order to suspend their fast craft operations, starting May 25 to 31, unless advised otherwise.

As to the approval of IATF of placing Iloilo City under MECQ, while denying an earlier request to place Negros Occidental under General Community Quarantine, Lacson said “I guess maybe because of the noise made by Mayor Treñas, he got the attention of IATF.

Lacson also noted that COVID-19 actives cases in Negros Occidental is going down.

As of May 23, Negros Occidental has been categorized as a COVID-19 “low-risk” area, compared to “moderate risk” classification of Bacolod City, according to a report of the Department of Health-Western Visayas.