Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor said he is also seeking a week-long suspension of travel between Negros and his province in support of the move of Iloilo City to contain the spread of COVID-19.
His request for the suspension of travel from Negros to the Dumangas port in Iloilo province is pending before the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Defensor said.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Sunday ordered the temporary suspension of inbound and outbound travel between Negros Island and his city from 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, to 11:59 p.m. of May 31.
Iloilo City is currently under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the area.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Monday also issued Executive Order No. 27 Series of 2021 suspending travel between Bacolod City and Iloilo City from May 25 to 31.
The suspension may earlier be lifted or further extended, while Iloilo City is placed under MECQ, except for the delivery of essential goods which shall remain unhampered but subject to health and safety protocols, Leonardia he said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he has no problem with the one-week suspension of travel between Negros and Iloilo city.
“Let’s just help Iloilo City if they feel that is one way of stopping their surge (in COVID-19 cases), then let’s be part of that solution,” he said.
There will be some businesses affected but if there is a surge in COVID-19 cases in Iloilo City who will protect them, it will still be the government, he said.*