By Joseph B.A. Marzan and Dolly Yasa
Travel between Iloilo and Negros Island will be indefinitely closed starting today, July 22, 2020 as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The travel shutdown was triggered by separate orders of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Tuesday.
Treñas ordered the suspension of trips from the Ports of Iloilo in the city while Defensor suspended trips from Estancia and Dumangas town ports.
Both officials cited the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental province.
Treñas put out a public advisory on the city government’s Facebook page announcing the suspension.
“Due to rising cases of COVID-19, Iloilo City will CLOSE ITS BORDERS for people coming in from BACOLOD CITY, PROVINCE OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, AND NEGROS ORIENTAL, starting tomorrow, JULY 22, 2020 until further notice. Movement of essential goods and cargoes will remain unhampered,” the post said.
The mayor told Daily Guardian in an interview that the suspension was based on a recommendation by an Iloilo City-based team of doctors.
He noted that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients may be unaware that they are carrying SARS-CoV-2 which causes the disease.
Treñas also mentioned a report of a hospital in Bacolod City reaching full capacity because of COVID cases.
Riverside Medical Center on Monday confirmed in a statement that it has reached full capacity in its admission and treatment of COVID-19 patients.
“We have an Iloilo COVID Team composed of private doctors, and they were worried because of reports of community transmission in Bacolod City. We all know that when one is asymptomatic, they wouldn’t know whether or not they have contracted [COVID-19]. Another thing is that there was a report that reached them that one of the hospitals in Bacolod City was already overwhelmed at full capacity,” Treñas said.
The mayor said that he had already informed Defensor, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, and Governors Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental, Rhodora Cadiao of Antique, Florencio Miraflores of Aklan, Esteban Evan Contreras of Capiz, and Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras of his decision.
An executive order on the suspension of trips is expected to be issued today.
ILOILO PROVINCE
Shortly after, Defensor also announced through the province’s social media accounts the closure of trips to and from Negros Island.
The governor said that his suspension was based on Treñas’ pronouncement.
“I cannot state it categorically, but as I have said, if Iloilo City has a basis to close, the province will follow because we need to have a singular direction,” Defensor said.
Defensor told Daily Guardian that they will continue to coordinate with the Iloilo City government on developments in relation to Iloilo-Negros travels.
“We will continue to talk with Iloilo City on what their direction will be, because it is important that if they close down, we will as well because we are one. It depends on the situation [in Negros], and I think that is the basis of the city,” he said.
BACOLOD CITY’S RESPONSE
In response to the suspensions, Leonardia also ordered a travel suspension to and from all points of Panay Island and Guimaras province, which started at 11:59 p.m. of July 21.
The announcement was also made through social media.
“Given the existing circumstances in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental and also that in Iloilo City and the Province of Iloilo, we are closing our borders to passengers coming in from Iloilo City, Province of Iloilo and the whole of Panay including Guimaras, effective tonight [11:59 p.m. of July 21]. However, the delivery of essential goods and cargoes remain unhampered,” the announcement stated.
In Cebu, the town of Tabuelan headed by Mayor Raul Gerona also banned all roll on-roll off and passenger ferry services from Negros and Iloilo.
In an executive order, Gerona said health personnel, resources, and services of the municipality were “gravely affected” when their Rural Health Physician was recalled by the Department of Health for security reasons.
The move adversely affected the testing of persons coming in and out of Tabuelan to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The military, police, and coast guard personnel who are manning the municipality’s port have been directed to strictly enforce the travel ban.
“All previous issuances which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby amended or repealed accordingly,” the EO added.
The municipality of Tabuelan serves as a gateway in the northern part of Cebu and has ferry services connecting to Estancia in Iloilo, and the cities of Escalante and Sagay in Negros Occidental.
