The entry of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in two cities of Negros Occidental has been temporarily suspended starting Friday to allow these localities to prepare for the return of more residents.
The suspension was approved by Interior and Local Government-6 OIC-director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, chair of the Western Visayas Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) for Covid-19, as stated in Resolution 50 dated Oct. 22, 2020.
Based on the directive, acceptance of LSIs in Victorias City will be suspended for seven days — from Oct. 23 to 30 — while in San Carlos City, for 14 days — from Oct. 23 to Nov. 6.
“After the moratorium on the period provided, the suspension of the arrival of LSIs is deemed lifted in the areas identified,” Resolution 50 said.
According to the RIATF, Victorias City sent a letter dated Oct. 13, requesting for a seven-day moratorium on the travel of returning overseas Filipinos and LSIs “to decongest, disinfect, and prepare its quarantine facilities”.
San Carlos City also sent a letter to the Province of Negros Occidental, asking assistance from the Provincial Incident Management Team to endorse its request to the RIATF.
On Tuesday, San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo issued Executive Order 227 prohibiting non-essential travel starting this week amid the rising local cases of coronavirus disease.
“(T)o contain the spread of the dreaded virus, it is the policy of San Carlos City to ban non-essential travels. Citizens are enjoined to stay home except for front-liners, and for purposes of accessing basic needs and for emergency medical needs,” Gustilo said.
The city government also suspended the issuance of certification for travel to places outside of San Carlos except for essential and emergency medical needs.
Non-residents can only enter the city for the purpose of delivering food, essential supplies and services, following health and safety protocols, as well as for essential transactions and accessing medical services. (Nanette Guadalquiver via Philippine News Agency, photo courtesy by Bacolod City Provincial Information Office)