Indefinite suspension of inbound travels to Iloilo City sought

Mayor Jerry Treñas has sought an indefinite suspension of inbound travels from Negros Occidental to Iloilo City, and vice versa, as cases of Covid-19 in the metro continue to rise.

The mayor made the urgent request following the possible lifting of the temporary travel suspension to Negros Island and the city and province of Iloilo on June 1, 2021.

On Sunday, the Joint Regional Task Force and Regional Inter-Agency Task Force in Western Visayas issued a joint Advisory for the lifting of the temporary travel suspension to Negros Island from Dumangas Port and Iloilo City effective on June 1.

“The RTF-RIATF informs all concerned that the temporary suspension of travel is hereby lifted starting 12:01 a.m. of June 1 unless otherwise extended by appropriate authorities. Travelers are advised to observe minimum health standards and coordinate with their respective local government units,” the advisory said.

But, according to Treñas, he is constrained to urgently ask for the indefinite suspension of inbound travels from Negros Occidental to Iloilo and border controls in all boundaries of Iloilo City due to the continued surge of cases in the city and province of Iloilo.

“In view of the number of positive cases in Iloilo City and Iloilo Province, and the fact that the health facilities in Iloilo City are already overwhelmed, I am constrained to urgently request for the indefinite suspension of inbound travels from Negros Occidental to Iloilo and border controls in all boundaries of Iloilo City,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

The mayor said he sent his request to Defense Secretary and Chairman of the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) Delfin Lorenzana, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Western Visayas RIATF Chairperson, and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 6 Regional Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, and RTF 6 chairperson and Office of the Civil Defense 6 Regional Director Jose Roberto Nuñez.

Inbound travels from Negros Island to Dumangas Port and Iloilo City and vice versa were temporary suspended from May 23 to May 31 by the RTF-RIATFB following the request of the provincial government and the Iloilo City government. (ERS)