Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order on Friday, April 29, placing seven local government units under Alert Level 1 and the rest of Negros Occidental under Alert Level 2 until May 15.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia also issued an executive order on Saturday, April 30, placing Bacolod City under Alert Level 1 until May 15.
Lacson in Executive Order 22-18, Series of 2022 placed the cities of Sagay, Victorias and La Carlota, and the municipalities of EB Magalona, Pulupandan, San Enrique and Candoni under Alert Level 1.
Fully vaccinated incoming travelers to Negros Occidental are required to present COVID-19 vaccination cards. Those who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated must present non-reactive antigen test results prior to travel, or undergo tests provided by the provincial government free of charge on arrival, Lacson said.
Philippine Airlines has been allowed five Manila-Bacolod Manila flights per day, Cebu Pacific – six flights and Air Asia – three flights.
Cebu Pacific has also been seven Cebu-Bacolod-Cebu flights per week and Philippine Airlines – four, he added.
The provincial government has also adopted the Department of Health protocol for the home quarantine and isolation of probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases with no symptoms, or mild and moderate symptoms.
Leonardia, in Executive Order 22, Series of 2022, said Bacolod City will be under Alert Level 1 until May 15, the fourth extension since March 16.
Previous executive orders placing the city under Alert Level 1 will remain in full force and effect, he said.
Bacolod City may be considered a class valedictorian or first honors in managing the COVID-19 pandemic as validated by the high marks it received from the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force, Leonardia also said in a press release on Sunday.
“If we are in school, there is no doubt that Bacolod City is the class valedictorian or one of the first honor awardees simply because we belong to the first batch of 39 LGUs out of the more than 2,000 in the entire Philippines to be placed under Alert Level 1 by the IATF,” Leonardia said.
Dr. Chris Sorongon, Emergency Operations Center deputy, said that as of May 1, Bacolod’s vaccination rate stands at 132 percent.
“I cannot over emphasize that the city government has been hitting its targets. That is why, we have to continue our compliance to the minimum health protocols by wearing face mask, observing social distancing and maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding crowded places,” Leonardia said.*