Guv to consult legal team on banning ships from China

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Thursday that he is mulling to consult his legal team if banning sea vessels from China is needed amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Lacson said he is awaiting the reaction of the national government after Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued an executive order late Wednesday night banning all ships from China, Macau, and Hong Kong from docking in city ports.

Lacson pointed out that the national government had already emphasized that trade should not be hampered just because of COVID-19.

Everyone knows very well that ships are one of the primary transports for trade, he added.

Lacson said this is the reason why he needs to consult his legal team first before reaching a decision.

Apart from Bacolod, San Carlos City had earlier ordered the ban on all ships originating from China from either docking or entering the city’s territorial waters.

An exemption was only made earlier this month when M/V Sea Music was allowed to anchor off Sipaway Island on “humanitarian grounds” as the vessel was not able to stock up on food and water while staying at the Chinese port city of Ningde.