Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas has ordered the temporary suspension of inbound and outbound travel between Negros Island and Iloilo City from 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, to 11:59 p.m. of May 31.
Treñas in Executive Order 041-A Series of 2021 signed Sunday, May 23, placing IIoilo City under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) ordered the suspension of passenger travel but said the unimpeded movement of cargo in and out of Iloilo and Negros Island will be guaranteed.
Capt. Ludovico Librilla, Coast Guard Station Negros Occidental commander, said sea travel from Iloilo City to Negros will temporarily halt starting at 12 a.m. Tuesday in compliance with an order of Treñas.
However, roll-on-roll-off vessels from Negros to the Dumangas port in Iloilo province will continue to operate unless Gov. Arthur Defensor issues a similar order, Librilla said.
But travelers who enter through Dumangas may not be allowed into Iloilo City, he said.
Defensor told DIGICAST NEGROS he will discuss the matter with Treñas on Monday, May 24, to decide whether to issue a similar temporary suspension of travel between Negros and Iloilo province.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Resolution 116-C Series of 2021 issued Saturday granted the request of Treñas to place Iloilo City under MECQ from May 23 to 31 to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Frank Carbon, Weesam Express consultant, said the livelihood of thousands of people will be affected by the temporary travel suspension, and will affect the local economy.*