Guv suspends receiving repatriates from Cebu

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday that the provincial government will stop receiving Negrense Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) from Cebu.

In a press conference, Lacson said that aside from the fact that quarantine facilities are full, another reason for the suspension is that more than 50 percent of COVID-19 cases in the province are LSIs from Cebu.

Lacson said he has also asked the National Inter-Agency Task Force for COVID-19 to approve a travel ban from Cebu.

The governor also asked the NIATF to require LSIs and Overseas Filipino Workers to undergo RT-PCR test.

The local government is also asking the Department of Education for the extended use of schools as quarantine facilities.

Lacson said he learned that some LGUs were notified by the local DepEd offices to vacate the classrooms for the opening of classes.

Meanwhile, Lacson also said that he will look into ways on how to help LSIs still stranded in Tabuelan, Cebu.

The Department of Interior and Local Government in Region 7, on orders of DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, was directed not to allow the movement of LSI to and from Cebu.

As of this writing, Negros Occidental has 68 COVID-19 cases including the 21 new cases reported by DOH on Wednesday.

The 21 cases are the highest single-day jump in the province.