Cities of Iloilo, Bacolod close borders amid COVID-19 threat

MANILA, Philippines — The cities of Iloilo and Bacolod have closed their borders for people from select provinces to curb the further spread of the coronavirus disease.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonard announced the closing of the borders of their respective jurisdictions in separate Facebook posts on Tuesday.

“Due to the rising number cases of COVID-19, Iloilo City will CLOSE ITS BORDERS for people coming in from BACOLOD CITY, PROVINCES OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, AND NEGROS ORIENTAL, starting tomorrow, JULY 22, 2020,” Treñas said.

He said that the movement of essential goods and cargoes will remain unhampered.

Meanwhile, Leonard said Bacolod City will also close its borders “given the existing circumstances” in the city and nearby areas.

“Given the existing circumstances in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental and also that in Iloilo City and Province of Iloilo, we are closing our borders to passengers coming in from Iloilo, Province of Iloilo and the whole of Panay including Guimaras, effective tonight (11:59 p.m. pf July 21),” said Leonard.

The delivery of essential goods and cargoes in the city will remain unhampered, according to the mayor.

Iloilo City has registered 94 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, including 77 recoveries and three deaths.

Bacolod City, meanwhile, has recorded a total of 92 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday. Of this number, 52 have recovered and four have died.

EDV