Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz took the side of caution, as he expressed fears that relaxing border control at the provincial level will have a “very dangerous effect” which the provincial government wants to avoid.
Diaz made the statement as Mabinay in Negros Oriental opened its border with Kabankalan City and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental and Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental, despite the existing executive orders issued by Governors Eugenio Jose Lacson and Roel Degamo on closure of their respective borders.
“Our stand, in agreement with the mayors, that the border with Negros Oriental remained to be closed, with restricted travel in and out of Negros Occidental remains in effect, unless superseded by another executive order,” he said.
Acknowledging that some local government units may have been experiencing “fatigue”, they respect those realities on the ground, Diaz said.
“But again, we want the governor to decide if to relax, or not,” he said, referring to the easing of border controls.
Diaz said it will be discussed during the Provincial Development Council meeting on Feb. 19, which will be presided over by Lacson, and to be attended by the different local chief executives.
Diaz said that medical society experts still warned that “it is not wise for us to be complacent”, noting resurgence of cases in other areas, citing the case of Cebu, which opens their tourism areas, that causes alarm to other sectors.
As of Feb. 15, COVID-19 active cases in Negros Occidental went down to 70, while Negros Oriental has 167 active cases. — GB
