Bacolod mayor to reject NIATF proposal to place city under MECQ

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia. Photo from Evelio “Bing” Leonardia Facebook page

BACOLOD CITY—Mayor Evelio Leonardia will oppose the recommendation of the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (NIATF-EID) to place Bacolod City under modified, enhanced community quarantine  (MECQ) from July 16 to 31.

“We will vigorously appeal against the escalation of our community quarantine status,” he said late Tuesday night, July 13.

“It is not debatable that many Bacolodnons have already lost their jobs and businesses because of the prolonged community quarantine. We cannot afford to add more restrictions that will extend the freeze on our economic recovery,” he added.

Leonardia said the city government’s battle against COVID-19 has reduced cases by 42 percent in the last two weeks.

“We earnestly hope the NIATF  will listen to our appeal, which is meant to spare our people from the inconvenience and other undesired effects on our economy,” Leonardia said.

Bacolod is currently under general community quarantine.