Residents of Negros Occidental hailing from outside of Bacolod City, who wish to return to their hometowns, should coordinate with the provincial government and/or their municipality or city local government units – and not with the City Government of Bacolod – for travel requirements and procedures.
This is because Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s Executive Order No. 1 does not apply to them, the Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) clarified.
“Executive Order No. 1 is applicable only to Bacolod residents, who will return to Bacolod,” Dr. Chris Sorongon of the EOC said.
Leonardia issued EO No. 1 to monitor the entry of residents into Bacolod by establishing consolidated guidelines for them to follow for safe travel.
FLATTENING CURVE
“In order to sustain the flattening curve, the City of Bacolod has implemented proactive measures such as community monitoring and surveillance, especially on the health protocols and safety measures in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic within its territory, as well as to its neighboring LGUs, to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the fight against the virus,” part of the EO read.
Sorongon said that some non-Bacolod residents are misguided and assumed that they need to coordinate with the Bacolod City Government before they are allowed entry into their respective hometowns, a press release from the city said.
“We keep receiving messages from non-Bacolod residents asking for the requirements. If you’re returning to other cities or municipalities, coordinate with the provincial government and your respective LGUs,” he added.
Based on the data collected by the EOC, 29 persons who entered Bacolod from October 1, 2020 to January 4, 2021, had tested positive for Covid.
“Traveling within Western Visayas remains unhampered and unrestricted,” Sorongon said.
He added that the negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before travel requirement for Bacolod returning residents must be through swabbing and not through a rapid antigen test. Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Task Force Disiplina is issuing citation tickets to those who violate the minimum health protocols, like proper wearing of face masks and face shields, and observing social distancing, as mandated under City Ordinance No. 944.*
