By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Following the suspension of fastcraft trips between Bacolod City and Iloilo City due to the latter being placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), sea trips between Bacolod City and Dumangas town in Iloilo province were also suspended starting yesterday.
In a joint advisory issued by the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) and Regional Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases dated May 24, 2021, it was agreed and concurred by the principals of the National IATF and the local chief executives to also impose a seven-day travel moratorium between Bacolod City and Dumangas from Tuesday, May 25, until Monday, May 31.
The order, meanwhile, does not cover the movement of cargoes between the two islands, which will remain unimpeded.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson appealed for cooperation from the public.
“I don’t think it’s a problem. It’s from May 25 to May 31 that was granted for Iloilo. Let’s just help Iloilo if this is a way of stopping the surge. Let’s be part of the solution,” Lacson said.
The stricter MECQ status for Iloilo City was approved by the NIATF because of the surge of COVID-19 cases in the city./DGB, WDJ