By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) – Negros Occidental chapter is dismayed that despite the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, both the province and the city remain under a lighter quarantine restriction.

Negros Occidental and Bacolod were placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) until June 30, while neighboring Iloilo city and province and Negros Oriental are under modified enhanced community quarantine.

“We just wanted to have a timeout for at least two weeks to halt the transmission of the virus,” Dr. Ronel Sario, PCP-Negros Occidental chapter president, said.

Sario said the imposition of stricter quarantine measures would decongest hospitals and other health facilities in the province.

The Bacolod City government did not request for a stricter quarantine status even though it was classified as “high-risk” for COVID-19.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile, already ordered stricter border control with Negros Oriental as a precautionary measure.

As of yesterday, Negros Occidental has a total of 17,072 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1,771 active cases; 14,902 recoveries; and 399 deaths, according to the data of the Provincial Incident Management Team./DGB, WDJ