BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – If another surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COV ID-19) infections takes place, the Mambukal Mountain Resort and Wildlife Reserve may be transformed into a quarantine facility, according to Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
He noticed an uptick in COVID-19 cases – from just two cases on Jan. 1 to 40 before the week was over.
The Mambukal Resort, owned and operated by the provincial government, closed for several months due to the pandemic and reopened just this Dec. 1, 2021.
But the resort was closed again after super typhoon “Odette” struck.
Situated 1,200 feet above sea level and next to Mount Kanlaon, Mambukal enjoys cool temperatures all year round with access to flora and fauna native to the Kanlaon area. It covers an area of 23.6 hectares covering part of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, a protected area which also encompasses territories of Murcia, La Castellana and Bago City in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Lacson said another wave of COVID-19 infections would necessitate more quarantine facilities.
Negros Occidental provincial administrator Rayfrando Diaz, said provincial capitol-operated quarantine facilities are on alert.
A surge in infections is being anticipated after the holidays.
As of Jan. 6, the Provincial Incident Management Team reported 208 active COVID-19 cases in the province.
Total cases in the province have now hit 34,959 with 33,015 recoveries and 1,735 fatalities./PN
