By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The provincial government of Negros Occidental will recommend additional local government units (LGUs) to be placed under COVID-19 Alert Level 1.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the additional LGUs performed well in their vaccination program and they will recommend to the Department of Health (DOH) to downgrade them to Alert Level 1 by April 16.

Diaz said these are Cadiz City with a vaccination rate of 77.85 percent; Talisay City and Murcia with 73 percent each; Pontevedra, Victorias City and Silay City with 72 percent each; and the town of Candoni at 70 percent.

Earlier, the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved the proposal of the DOH in Western Visayas and the provincial government to adopt a per LGU alert level classification.

The IATF declared the towns of EB Magalona, Pulupandan and San Enrique as well as the component cities of La Carlota and Sagay under Alert Level 1, alongside Bacolod City.

Diaz said they are happy that their recommendation was approved by the DOH in an official resolution.

“This will pave the way for the other LGUs to be reclassified and de-escalated to Alert Level 1 for the next period after having met the parameters set by DOH,” he pointed out.

Diaz said the LGUs have done their share in their vaccination program and their cases are already zero.

“There is no ground or reason that the be denied,” he said.

He added that the de-escalation of LGUs will also inspire the other LGUs to work harder to attain the targets set by the DOH.

Alert Level 1 or the “new normal” status is the lowest category in the country’s COVID-19 alert level system.

Under Alert Level 1 movement of persons, regardless of age and comorbidities, is allowed, but with restrictions on crowded and closed spaces and close contact settings.

Also, private establishments and government agencies are allowed to operate at full on-site capacity, subject to minimum public health standards./DGB, WDJ