Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the placement of five Negros Occidental local government units under Alert Level 1 until April 15 is good because it will encourage other LGUs still under Alert Level 2 to strengthen their COVID-19 vaccination drives.
The national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Thursday, March 31, placed Bacolod City, and Enrique B. Magalona, La Carlota City, Pulupandan, Sagay City and San Enrique in Negros Occidental under Alert Level 1.
The rest of the LGUs in Negros Occidental will remain under Alert Level 2 until April 15.
Also under Alert Level 1 is Dumaguete City while the rest of Negros Oriental remains under Alert Level 2.
Bacolod City and the five Negros Occidental LGUs were placed under Alert Level 1 because of their high COVID-19 vaccination rates.
Lacson thanked the IAFT for downgrading the five Negros Occidental LGUs.
“I am in favor of declaring some parts of Negros Occidental under Alert Level 1,” he said.
The provincial government had earlier asked the Department of Health to deescalate the alert level status of LGUs with high COVID-19 vaccination performances.
“It’s like rewarding them for their efforts,” Lacson said.
Lacson on Friday issued Executive Order 22-13-A, Series of 2022, placing Sagay City, La Carlota City, EB Magalona, Pulupandan, and San Enrique under Alert Level 1 and extending the Alert Level 2 status of the rest of Negros Occidental until April 15.*