GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, said that next week would be a challenge for the province as the return of locally stranded individuals (LSI) will finally resume.
The return of LSIs is set on August 22 when the moratorium issued by the National Inter-Agency Task Force ends.
"It would be very challenging and I hope the IATF, if there's a need, would consider our request for another moratorium," Lacson said.
He also admitted that they are now worried about the local transmission of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The governor said the province is prepared for the arrival of LSIs and that the quarantine facilities have been vacated, especially the Mambukal Resort and E.B.Magalona Healing Center where LSIs will be brought upon arrival.
As of Wednesday, Negros has 815 Covid-19 positive cases with 50 percent recovery rate.
Meanwhile, Lacson on Wednesday led the groundbreaking and blessing of the Negros Occidental Laguage and Information Technology Center Global Campus (NOLITC) in Sitio Mana-ul, Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City.
The project is worth P135 million to be undertaken by Jaime B. Ditching Enterprises.
Lacson said the construction, which lies at the 2.5 hectare land donated by Antonio Montinola and family, will be completed in two years.
NOLITC has produced around 6,000 graduates since 2012, according to its head Dr. Cristina Orbecido.