By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Despite the recent downgrade of both Bacolod City and Iloilo City to general community quarantine (GCQ), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental said fast craft trips between the two cities remain suspended.

PCG-Negros Occidental chief, Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, said they have not received any notice from ferry operators or the chief executives of the local government units about resuming fast craft trips.

“As of this time, we haven’t received any information coming from both Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas allowing fast craft trips to resume,” Benjamin said.

He said roll-on/roll-off (roro) trips between Bacolod City and Dumangas, Iloilo remain operational, although they are limited to serving rolling cargoes, frontliners, government officials, and authorized persons outside of residence (APORs). However those traveling are still required to present documents prior to boarding.

Locally stranded individuals (LSIs) are also allowed to travel via roro, however, aside from their travel documents, they must also have prior clearance with their respective local government units.

Meanwhile, since Boracay island is now open for local tourists, Benjamin said Negrenses who are going to the popular holiday destination are required to show a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken at least three days prior to their trip.

Benjamin said Boracay-bound tourists are allowed to use the roro vessels in order to travel to Caticlan, although aside from the required negative RT-PCR test result, they must present a valid accommodation booking, prior to entering the island./DGB, WDJ