BY GLENDA TAYONA and DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
ILOILO City – People from Bacolod City can once again freely enter this city. Mayor Jerry Treñas lifted yesterday the travel restrictions he imposed almost three months ago.
But the mayor vowed to strictly enforce minimum health standards, safety protocols and the use of health declaration cards to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“As we open (our maritime) borders, we request everyone’s cooperation and discipline to avoid possible viral transmission. Maghalong guid kita,” said Treñas.
On the other hand, Bacolod City’s Mayor Evelio Leonardia is expected to issue an executive order today containing guidelines for the resumption of travel to Iloilo City.
It was in late July when Treñas banned sea travel due to a significant spike of COVID-19 cases in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
Data from the Department of Health Region 6 showed the three areas having the following cumulative number of COVID-19 cases as of Oct. 13:
* Negros Occidental – 3,705 (1,365 active, 2,278 recovered)
* Bacolod City – 4,440 (750 active, 2,401 recovered)
* Iloilo City – 3,229 (584 active, 3,742 recovered)
In the whole Western Visayas, there were 13,924 cumulative cases – 3,177 of these were active and 10,441 recovered.
In his Executive Order No. 167 issued yesterday, Treñas cited the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. It permits the movement of persons from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to Modified GCQ or no quarantine areas and vice versa – except for leisure purposes.
Treñas also wrote the Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Ports Authority a letter expressing his intention to allow the resumption of sea travel.
For his part, MARINA Region 6 director Jose Venancio Vero said the resumption of sea trips between Bacolod and Iloilo may start next week.
Vero is scheduled to meet Leonardia and Treñas as well as representatives from various shipping agencies serving the two cities on Oct. 15 to discuss the health protocols that would be imposed for travelers.
Earlier this month, Leonardia said he was open to resuming sea travel to Iloilo City.
Leonardia said the idea was first floated by Treñas during a meeting with other local chief executives in Western Visayas.
“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./PN
