BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
There is no need to impose border restrictions with Negros Occidental, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said.
Defensor, in a phone conversation with Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, said, “I am confident that, even with the rising cases, you are executing the correct health protocols and containment measures for Negros Occidental, which can also benefit the whole of Region 6.”
The decision of Defensor not to close its border with Negros Occidental was made after a consultation with the Iloilo City government and members of the Office of Civil Defense 6 Cluster, taking into consideration all measures being undertaken by the provincial government of Negros Occidental, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
While the number of new cases in Negros Occidental is, indeed, on a major upswing, the situation is no different from other cities and provinces in Western Visayas if other factors, such as population, are considered,” Defensor said.
Negros Occidental logged 1,849 active cases, excluding Bacolod City, as of yesterday.
Local government units with cases in triple digits include San Carlos City with 328, followed by Kabankalan – 149, Cauayan – 135, Himamaylan – 131, Cadiz – 126, Murcia – 111, and Bago City – 110.
Salvador Benedicto is the only LGU with no new infection. Candoni logged one, while Hinobaan and Moises Padilla with three active cases each. Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara, meanwhile, said the municipal hall was temporarily closed for a week since April 12, after a spike in Covid-19 cases. Results of a mass testing conducted showed several residents, including five town councilors, infected with the virus.*
