Talisay mayor contracts COVID-19

By Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City- Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares confirmed Tuesday that he has the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Lizares is among the 13 mayors who attended the Love Negros gathering last weekend.

“I would like to inform the public that I have unfortunately been tested positive for COVID-19,” Lizares said in a Facebook post.

Lizares said he is asymptomatic and “I would like to reassure everyone that I am taking every step possible to ensure that I stay in good health and will recover successfully from the virus.”

Earlier, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson went into isolation after getting in close contact with Kabankalan Mayor Pedro Zayco who also contracted the virus.

Lacson, Zayco, and Lizares attended the Love Negros fellowship meeting on Sept. 18 at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.

Also present were Rep Jose Francisco Benitez and his brother, former 3rd District congressman Alfredo Benitez; Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano, and several mayors, among others.

All other attendees are on isolation while Zayco is admitted to a private hospital.