BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday temporarily closed the borders of Iloilo City to passengers from Bacolod City, and sea travel between the two cities will stop starting today.
Treñas told the DAILY STAR he issued the order as a precautionary measure after learning that groups of doctors have issued an appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to place Bacolod City under Enhanced Community Quarantine for two weeks amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.
He ordered the closure but will listen to the opinion of the regional Inter-Agency Task Force that will meet today, Treñas said.
Treñas said he spoke to Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to inform them of his move.
Leonardia said “quite naturally, given the distinct circumstances surrounding our two cities, a one-way traffic between us will be impractical and not feasible at all, and this necessitates a reciprocal action on our part.”
Therefore, he has also issued an order that sea travel from Bacolod to Iloilo City would also temporarily stop effective 11:59 p.m. yesterday until further advice, Leonardia said.*
