Heavy traffic, long passenger queues mark Iloilo transition to MGCQ

ILOILO CITY—Traffic was heavy in Iloilo City on the first day of modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in Western Visayas on Monday (June 1).

But there were not enough public utility vehicles, causing long queues at terminals and jeepney stops as government employees reported back to work.

At a press conference, Mayor Jerry Trenas said officials expected public transport to normalize in three days to one week.

Jeepneys were allowed to carry only half of their capacity and required to have dividers installed.

On Boracay Island, residents and stranded tourists flocked to the beach on the first day that swimming was allowed after nearly two months.

Residents and stranded tourists on Boracay Island flock to the famous white beach of the island on the first day of the lifting of the swimming ban. Incoming tourists are still not allowed to go to the island. —JACK JARILLA

Swimmers were required to register at lifeguard stations along the 4.5-km beach.

Nenette Aguirre-Graf, councilor of Malay, Aklan said around 1,000 people had registered at the lifeguard stations by noon.

Residents requested for more designated swimming areas to avoid crowding.

Under an executive order issued by Malay Acting Mayor Frolibar Bautista, swimming is allowed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Edited by TSB