Mayor nixes lifting of curfew

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia told the business community here that it is not advisable to lift the curfew as the Philippine National Police is also not in favor of the move.

Leonardia and representatives of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Resorts Association of the Negros, and the Hotel and Restaurants Association of Negros Occidental discussed the appeal on the lifting of curfew and the partial liquor ban.

The businessmen appealed for the lifting of the curfew to revitalize businesses thriving at night.

But Leonardia said the “curfew must stay.”

Earlier in a joint position letter, the MBCCI, RANI, and HRANO said the pandemic has triggered jobs and livelihood losses.

They claimed that many businesses, including small and micro enterprises operating at night, were forced to stop operation.

But Leonardia said it is not advisable to lift the curfew.

He said Bacolod City Police Office acting director, P/Lt. Col Manuel Placido, recommended the continued implementation of the curfew.

Leonardia said that the PNP believes that curfew is a crime deterrent.

Curfew hours in Bacolod are from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., persons working on night shift are exempted.

“If we lift the curfew, it is as if we don’t have the pandemic anymore,” Leonardia said.