By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday said he supports the advisory of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) to allow only essential travels to Western Visayas.
The National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) issued Resolution No. 104 imposing a travel bubble on the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan.
Lacson said the decision seemed to have answered his written concerns which was forwarded to the NIATF.
However, he made it clear that the RIATF’s decision is in no way connected to his letter.
“We expect less travel and less people entering the province,” the governor said.
Lacson also said that despite the new restrictions, Negrenses are still allowed to leave the province.
He also said that cargoes from NCR and the other affected provinces are still allowed to enter unhampered to Negros Occidental.
Lacson said the new order does not cover travel within Western Visayas, as well as neighboring Cebu province.
“Yes this is okay, but they didn’t answer my letter,” he said.
Lacson said he will also insist to the NIATF for Negros Occidental to return to their previous entry protocols, wherein travelers are required to undergo swabbing and quarantine upon their arrival in the province.
“I want the testing done here, but I have to ask the NIATF again,” he said.
