Lacson: Trade should not be hampered because of Covid-19

After Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued an executive order earlier this week banning the entry of ships from China, Hong Kong, and Macau amid concerns surrounding the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is considering a consultation with his legal team on the matter.
“The national government already emphasized that trade should not be hampered just because of the Covid-19,” the governor explained. “Everyone knows very well that ships are one of the primary transports for trade.”
He said a consultation with his legal team will be conducted before making a similar declaration for the province.
Meanwhile, San Carlos City also issued a similar ban.
However, an exemption was made earlier this month when the M/V Sea Music was allowed to anchor off Sipaway Island on “humanitarian grounds” as the vessel was not able to stock up on food and water prior to arriving in the Philippines.
The vessel eventually left for Amlan in Negros Oriental after it completed its provisioning process./DGB, WDJ