By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A unified effort of all local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, including its capital Bacolod City, is needed in the fight to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the province, capitol consultant Alfredo Benitez said.

Benitez, in an interview during the radio program of Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer over Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod, said LGUs and stakeholders “should find a way to balance the economy and health of  Negrenses.”

“The fight against the unseen enemy is to focus in three areas – massive testing, isolation and contact tracing,” the former congressman pointed out.

He added that there is a need to upgrade existing health facilities and support for healthcare workers.

“We need to sit down and talk,” he said, adding that “the government should ensure that there will be minimal impact on the economy even as we exert all efforts to stop the spread of the virus.”

The provincial government of Negros Occidental and the Bacolod City government “should work together,” he said./DGB, WDJ