THE Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) in Western Visayas has barred travelers from the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna from going to the region since Tuesday, March 23, until April 4.
The resolution prohibits locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from NCR+ bubble areas to enter the region from March 23 to April 4.
The advisory dated March 23, 2021 comes on the heels of the National IATF Resolution 104 implementing a bubble in the NCR and other Luzon provinces due to rising Covid-19 cases.
The same rule applies to tourists who are planning to visit the region.
But government officials, medical frontliners, persons seeking medical care, returning overseas Filipinos and those going to the airport for travel abroad are exempted from the restriction.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he expects few travelers to the province after the issuance of the memorandum.
“While the RIATF resolution has the same idea on how to control the recent spike in positive cases as our request to suspend trips to the province,” Lacson said the Provincial Government will still wait for a reply from the national IATF.
"It has nothing to do with our letter," he pointed out.
Lacson said he expects a drop in travelers to Negros Occidental.
He clarified that cargoes from these areas can still come to Negros.
Those who want to leave the province can leave, he added.
Lacson also noted that the regional IATF did not include Cebu.
"Cebu is not included. That will entail us to monitor those traveling also from Cebu as travelers may use it as a way to go to Negros," he also said.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said he was surprised with the decision of the RIATF to impose travel restrictions on Western Visayas without consulting local officials.
Treñas, who called the restrictions a lockdown of sorts, said via Facebook that the RIATF should be ready to provide assistance to those who will be affected by the move.
"The whole Region 6 was placed on lockdown by the Regional IATF. I do not know if any of the LCEs have been consulted about this. Another kapalpakan. I demand that the Regional IATF consult the LCEs. In behalf of Iloilo City, I am demanding an explanation from the Regional IATF," he said.
But the text of the RIATF resolution only defines essential travelers, which was in keeping with the National IATF resolution implementing a travel bubble in Metro Manila and several Luzon provinces.
In a separate statement, the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas had asked hotels and tourist destinations around the region to extend the validity of all bookings of individuals who are affected by this latest travel restriction.