By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said the offices at the provincial capitol will continue its normal operations, even if Bacolod City is placed under a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

In a phone interview, Lacson said they will still observe the four-day work week at the provincial capitol and one-day work from home arrangement.

But yesterday, the National Inter-Agency Task Force has extended the general community quarantine (GCQ) in the province and Bacolod until July 31. However the city’s status is going to be a GCQ “with heightened restrictions.”

Earlier, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said if Bacolod City is placed under MECQ, some businesses in Negros Occidental may face some difficulties.

“This is going to give us a lot of setbacks economically in terms of delivering basic services. It could also be disrupted,” Diaz pointed out.

“For the good of the province, it is far more advantageous that the quarantine status for Bacolod remains under GCQ,” he added./DGB, WDJ