By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental will implement the moratorium on the arrival of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in various ports in the province.

PCG-Negros Occidental chief, Commander Ludovico Librilla, said they have been coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) which have suspended the arrival of LSIs.

However, Librilla said they will continue to accept the arrival of returning overseas Filipino workers since they are not covered by the travel moratoriums.

They will also accept the arrival of LSIs for LGUs which have not sought a travel moratorium.

At least 16 LGUs in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, have declared a moratorium for arriving LSIs until at least January of 2021.

Some of the LGUs’ reasons behind their decisions to seek for a moratorium are either to decongest their quarantine facilities, for the health personnel to take a rest and enjoy the holidays, and for the LGUs to carry out maintenance and improvements to their respective quarantine facilities./DGB, WDJ