Administrator: Relaxing borders in Negros Occidental dangerous

PROVINCIAL Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Tuesday, February 16, that relaxing border control at the provincial level will have "a very dangerous effect," which the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental wants to avoid.

Diaz said the Provincial Development Council of Negros Occidental will have a meeting on February 19 and easing border controls by some local government units (LGUs) is among the topics to be discussed.

He said: "As far as our stand, in agreement with the mayors, travel in and out of Negros Occidental is still restricted, with borders remain closed, unless it is superseded by another executive order."

Diaz said medical society experts still warned that it is not wise for the public to be complacent, noting the resurgence of cases in other areas, like Cebu, which opened its tourism areas.

Vallehermoso and Mabinay towns in Negros Oriental have opened their respective borders with cities of San Carlos and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental, noting a drop in number of Covid-19 active cases in their areas.

Kabankalan City, however, allows only Mabinay town residents to enter and stay in the city, within 24 hours, according to Mayor Isidro Zayco.

"They can't go beyond Kabankalan City," Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on February 15, noting also that Mabinay residents are highly dependent on Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, in dealing with banks and even pharmacies.

As of February 15, Covid-19 active cases in Negros Occidental went down to 70, while Negros Oriental has 167.