DESPITE lauding the decision released by the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) to limit the entry of travelers to Western Visayas to "essential travel" only, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he will still 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. That is the next thing that I will do," Lacson said.
The RIATF limits the entry of travelers to Western Visayas to "essential travel" only based on National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) Resolution 104 forming a travel bubble circuit for the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan.
According to Lacson, the decision seemed to have answered his written concerns, which was forwarded to the NIATF, although 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," Lacson said.
The governor said despite the new restrictions, he said Negrenses are still allowed to leave the province, while cargoes originating from the NCR and the other affected provinces are still allowed to enter unimpeded to Negros Occidental.
Lacson said the new order does not cover for travel within Westen Visayas, as well as neighboring Cebu province.
"Yes this is okay, but they didn't answer my letter," Lacson said.
Based on the RIATF's resolution, among those tagged for essential travel are health and emergency frontline services personnel; government officials and government frontline personnel; duly-authorized humanitarian assistance actors; persons travelling for humanitarian or medical reasons; persons going to the airport for travel abroad; anyone crossing zones for work or business and going back home; and returning overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers.
All other travelers coming from outside the NCR and the other subject provinces listed in the NIATF's protocols are allowed entry into Western Visayas, subject to health protocols.
All flights and sea travel in the region are also unaffected and remain in normal operations.