![“[Dapat] calculated ang aton pagbukas,” says Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo province. He is still not inclined to accept tourists, especially from critical areas or those with high cases of coronavirus disease 2019. IAN PAUL CORDERO/PN](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/defensor-696x461.jpg "defensor")
ILOILO – Travelers on leisure are unlikely to enter this province anytime soon.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is still not inclined to accept tourists, especially from critical areas or those with high cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Alang-alang pa gid. We are not yet ready to open to just anyone regardless kon sa diin ang ila point of origin,” Defensor stressed.
According to the governor, even though the province’s coronavirus situation is constantly changing, he does not see things improving any time soon.
As of Tuesday, Iloilo had a total of 2,553 COVID-19 infections – 2,192 of which recovered, leaving 275 active cases being monitored.
Defensor said he will wait for the recommendation of the Western Visayas Regional Task Force.
He would also base his decision to allow non-essential travel on the COVID-19 situation in Metro Manila and Cebu City. Most of the tourists who want to enter the province, he said, are from these two critical areas.
Late last month, Governor Defensor floated the possibility of allowing non-essential travel and the inter-zonal movement of individuals classified as non-Persons Authorized Outside of Residence (APORs) “under reasonable regulations.”
He said local chief executives of the province’s 42 towns and the component city of Passi agreed to further loosen travel restrictions. This move, however, was not pushed through due to spike of locally transmitted COVID-19 cases.
Defensor said he is still wary of the resurgence of cases with authorities still knee-deep in containing the spread of the viral illness.
“[Dapat] calculated ang aton pagbukas,” he pointed out.
“May mga syudad kag probinsya nga nagbukas sang nagligad nga nagsaka ang mga kaso sang COVID-19. May ara gani nga ginabalik sila sa istrikto nga quarantine,” Defensor said.
He also acknowledged how essential the reopening of the tourism sector to repair the province’s battered economy. But he doesn’t want to lose ground in their months-long fight the viral disease.
As for the movement within Region 6, Defensor said people are now allowed travel but for essential purposes only.
He discouraged the people, especially those from critical areas to avoid leisure or non-essential travel in the province.
Based on the Nov. 23 data of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, the province has a total of 2,001 indigenous COVID-19 cases.
The town of Oton has the most number of COVID-19 cases at 281 with five deaths. Pavia came in next at 239 with three deaths; Passi City (169 with two deaths); Santa Barbara (117 with three deaths); and (Tigbauan (98 with two deaths)./PN
