Bacolod lifts ban on Sino vessels

BACOLOD City – The local government unit of this city has lifted its ban on ships originating from China or from any of its special administrative regions.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Executive Order No. 12, which modifies Executive Order No. 11 – the directive that initiated the ban due to an ongoing threat from the coronavirus disease, or COVID-19.

According to Leonardia, the modification came after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año sent a letter regarding the initial order.

According to the cabinet official, the order contradicted the Department of Health’s (DOH) Circular No. 2020-0034, which was released last month and provided guidelines on preventing the spread of the virus. It was cited on the letter that the EO is not in accordance with the DOH circular.

The latest directive will allow vessels from China, Hong Kong and Macau to dock at city ports as provided by DOH guidelines. In addition, crew disembarkation will be permitted but no embarkation will take place.

Recently, the M/V Unicorn Bravo, a cargo ship originating from Xiamen, China, was barred from docking at Bacolod City’s Bredco Port following the initial order.

Earlier this month, Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental chief, Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, confirmed the vessel left to dock at the Port of Iloilo after its consignee, La Filipina Uygongco Corporation, decided to unload their cargo of fertilizer in Iloilo City./PN