PROVINCIAL Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Tuesday, June 15, that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will ensure compliance with the closure order during the celebration of the Feast of San Juan on June 24.
Diaz said Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has ordered the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) to remind the resort owners to close down their establishments from June 23 to 25, stressing this is contained in an executive order issued by the governor on June 14, 2021.
Diaz said Lacson recently met with Nocppo Director Romy Palgue to talk about the upcoming feast day, as well as other matters related to the province's health protocols like the curfew hours.
Diaz said Lacson has ordered Palgue to have the police chiefs in various towns and cities in Negros Occidental conduct information dissemination to resort owners so that they can avoid accepting any advanced bookings from tourists.
The 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army was also given the same orders.
On the closure days of the resorts, Nocppo was tasked to return to the establishments and monitor them for compliance.
"As early as now, we remind resort owners that they'll be visited by police soon, reminding them that they have to be closed on those days," Diaz said.
Lacson said the closure is aimed at preventing mass gatherings in beaches and mountain resorts, which are considered a super spreader of Covid-19.