DILG questions the initial order

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday lifted the ban on vessels from China, Macau, and Hong Kong. He issued Executive Order No. 12, which modified Executive Order No. 11, the directive that initiated the ban due to an ongoing threat from the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19.

During a press conference, the mayor said the modification came after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año sent a letter regarding the initial order.

According to the cabinet official, the order contradicted Department of Health (DOH) Circular No. 2020-0034, which was released last month and provided guidelines on preventing the spread of the virus.

The letter stated, “The position of the department [is] that the EO is not in accordance with the DOH circular.”

The latest directive will allow vessels from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to dock at Bacolod City ports as provided by DOH guidelines. In addition, crew disembarkation will be permitted but no embarkation will take place.

Recently, the M/V Unicorn Bravo, a cargo ship originating from Xiamen, China, was barred from docking at Bacolod City’s Bredco Port following the initial order.

Earlier this month, Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental chief, Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, confirmed the vessel left to dock at the Port of Iloilo after its consignee, La Filipina Uygongco Corporation, decided to unload their cargo of fertilizer in Iloilo City./DGB, WDJ