Still too dangerous to accept LSIs from Cebu, guv says

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson asked the Philippine Ports Authority, the Maritime Industry Authority and the Coast Guard to cooperate in strictly monitoring Locally Stranded Individuals from Cebu.

Lacson said “it is just too dangerous now to be accepting LSIs from Cebu.”

He said the reported talks with Cebu have not prospered adding that “in fact the more we have to be strict because Cebu is back to ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine).”

Lacson earlier said he will write Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia to allow LSIs to pass through Toledo in crossing to Negros Occidental via the San Carlos City port.

He also said that San Carlos City Mayor Rene Gustilo agreed but later changed his mind.

He said San Carlos City port is just accepting cargo vessels.

Lacson then announced that LSIs from Cebu can only pass through Danao port in Escalante.

“I think that by limiting it to one port, we can better control LSIs coming in, because the other option is  just to say no, we will not accept LSIs from Cebu but kawawa naman,” the governor said.

That is why Lacson said he needs the cooperation of the PPA, MARINA and the Coast Guard.

“We are in this fight together, we have simplified matters for us to control the coming in of LSIs from Cebu,” Lacson said adding that “meaning you shall not allow any passenger to take any vessel that will dock in another port.”

Lacson also said that they will accept LSIs from Cebu based on the availability of rooms in the quarantine facility in Cadiz City.

Meanwhile Lacson said that 2,777 of locally stranded individuals and overseas Filipino workers have arrived in the province.

Most of the returning Negrenses came from Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu.