BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
Bacolod City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia is open to resuming sea travel between this city and Iloilo City.
Fast craft operation is suspended for more than a month now due to the sudden spike of coronavirus disease 2019 cases.
Leonardia discussed the matter with other local chief executives in Western Visayas during a recent meeting.
The idea was first floated by Mayor Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City.
“Given that we have the same quarantine category, I told them the ball is in your court. We’re ready as long as health protocols are strictly followed,” Leonardia said.
Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental chief, Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin said the resumption of fast raft trips between the two highly-urbanized citied of Bacolod and Iloilo depends on both Leonardia and Treñas.
On Oct. 1, Iloilo and Bacolod both returned to the more lenient general community quarantine for the entire month after being placed under a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine.
Based on the Department of Health 6’s data, Bacolod City has 4,272 cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases while Iloilo City has 2,985./PN
