By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After more than a year of travel suspension brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, bus trips to Negros Oriental and Cebu have finally resumed after the provincial government of Negros Occidental finally gave the go ahead for Vallacar Transit Incorporated (VTI) to resume their bus trips to the two provinces.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the trips effectively resumed last Saturday, November 20, with three approved routes: Bacolod-Dumaguete (via Mabinay), Bacolod-Cebu City (via Mabinay) and Bacolod-Cebu City (via Don Salvador Benedicto).

Travelers bound for Negros Occidental are required to register via the S-PaSS system and present their verifiable COVID-19 vaccination cards or certificates, while unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result.

Diaz once again warned those caught presenting fake documents will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine and must undergo RT-PCR test on the fifth day from their arrival at their own expense.

Those who are caught with fake documents could also face criminal charges.

All trips are also limited via the VTI’s Bacolod South Terminal only and the buses are allowed to carry 70 percent of the bus’ total seating capacity.

Passenger manifest will also be required for monitoring of the local government units for contact tracing purposes.

S-PaSS scanning and verification of incoming passengers will be done at all borders and ports of entry./DGB, WDJ