BACOLOD City- This city alert level system is now on Alert Level 2 from Alert Level 3 effective today, Feb. 16 to 28, concerning coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19).
This was following the declaration recently of the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) placing this city and Negros Occidental as well in Alert Level 2.
This development was disclosed by acting Presidential Spokesman Karlo Nograles, citing the continued decline of COVID-19 cases in the city and province.
Also, placed under Alert Level 2 are Antique, Capiz, and Aklan, reports from Manila, quoting Nograles, further said.
Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, and Guimaras will remain under Alert Level 3 during the same period, Nograles added.
Em Ang, executive director of Emergency Operations Center(EOC) said the downgrading of Bacolod to Alert Level 2 by the NIATF is a recognition of the city government’s effective management of COVID-19 cases.
She added the NIATF decision came following the local government’s high vaccination rate and a significant drop in COVID-19 infections in the last two weeks.
“The lowering of restrictions will allow the reopening of more businesses in the city. This will also increase our people’s mobility and enable them to engage in earning activities, as well as allow the gradual resumption of activities such as limited face-to-face classes, social and cultural events, sports, shopping, dining out and hassle-free travel,” Ang, who is also a registered nurse, Ang pointed out.
The move to Alert Level 2 will also allow Bacolodnons to see “how well we will manage by relying on business establishments’ strict implementation of the minimum health protocols and our collective effort in maintaining prescribed public health safety protocols,” she stressed.
Ang also said, “If we can do this, then we are well on our way from crisis mode to recovery mode”./PN
