Negros Occ. officials to meet for ECQ extension

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Friday that he will sit down with mayors to discuss if they will extend or lift the Enhanced Community Quarantine after April 30, 2020.

The province of Negros Occidental was not included in the list of areas recommended by the National Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 for ECQ extension.

Lacson has earlier hinted he is inclined to extend the ECQ for a week after two Overseas Filipino Workers who returned to the province tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The province now has four COVID-19 cases.

But Lacson said he will first clarify with the national government if the province can extend the ECQ or not.

The governor said he will also discuss with the mayors and the provincial IATF if they support the extension.

If the consensus is for the extension, Lacson will ask permission from Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.

While the ECQ will end in April 30, 2020, Lacson ordered adjustments as part of the transition from ECQ to General Community Quarantine.