The mayors of the two highly-urbanized cities in Western Visayas are up in arms about the reported recommendation of the National Inter-Agency Task Force to place their localities under stricter community restrictions.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he got information that Bacolod City has been recommended by the NIATF to be placed under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine status starting July 16, from its present General Community Quarantine restriction.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said he was also informed that the proposed quarantine classification for Iloilo City and Iloilo province will be ECQ.
“We cannot afford to add more restrictions that will extend the freeze on our economic recovery,” he said, stressing that their tireless efforts in trying to battle COVID led to the reduction of cases by 42 percent in the past two weeks.
Leonardia said the city government of Bacolod will vigorously appeal the escalation of the community quarantine status, stressing that many Bacolodnons have already lost their jobs and businesses because of the prolonged community quarantine.
Leonardia said he is hoping that national officials and the NIATF will listen to their plea, which is meant to spare Bacolodnons from the inconvenience and other undesired effects to the city economy.
Treñas said they will immediately file an appeal on the recommended NIATF classification of Iloilo, which is now under MECQ.
“We cannot afford to close all businesses if we go under ECQ,” he said, adding that people will be out of work and everyone will be in a most difficult situation.
The Department of Health–Western Visayas Center for Health Development said the COVID risk classification of Bacolod was moderate, while Iloilo City got a high risk classification, as of July 11. — GB
