BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Business groups are now supporting Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s decision to extend curfew hours in this city.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), deemed it prudent to enforce 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew hours as part of preventive efforts against transmission of coronavirus disease 2019.
To recall, Carbon wrote a letter to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, urging the city government to relax the 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew to allow establishments operate during the late evening hours.
In his change of stance, Carbon urged the local government units should give “cash for work” for those who have lost of their jobs.
The MBCCI chief also pushed for the city’s police force to deploy their personnel to traffic congested areas and enforce the health protocols by apprehending those who don’t wear their face masks or violate social distancing measures.
Bacolod City remains under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ “medium risk”) despite calls from concerned physicians to revert the city to enhanced community quarantine
Last Friday, Leonardia issued an executive order extending the city’s MGCQ for the fourth time from July 31 to Aug. 15.
In his latest directive, Leonardia introduced several restrictions such as re-imposing liquor ban and modifying curfew hours.
However, the new curfew adjustments has yet to take effect as it requires an amendment of the current city ordinance./PN
