Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and four others have tested negative for COVID-19 after being exposed to a Department of the Interior and Local Government official from Iloilo who was positive for the virus at the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Summit in Bacolod City Friday, January 22.
The governor, who had gone on self-isolation, said he is relieved that he tested negative and will return to work tomorrow, January 28.
Negros Occidental Board Member Juvy Pepello, DILG Negros Occidental OIC Roselyn Quintana, and assistant regional director Maria Calpiza Sardua, who were seated at the same table as him at the summit, also tested negative for the virus, Lacson said today, January 27.
Assistant Regional Director Donelyn Hemedez of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also tested negative for the virus, Pepello said.
Negros Occidental provincial police director, Col. Romel Palgue, who was also seated near the governor, has also self-isolated while waiting for his COVID-19 test results, PLt. Abegael Donasco, said.
Donasco said police chiefs of the towns and cities of Negros Occidental were also at the summit but were not seated close to the DILG official who was positive for the virus.
The official was one of 23 DILG personnel in Iloilo who tested positive for COVID-19, Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.
The COVID-19 test results of 18 DILG Negros Occidental personnel who were tested for the virus were still being awaited, Diaz added.
Silay Mayor Mark Golez, who briefly joined the summit, said he was not exposed to the DILG official who was COVID positive.*