Mayor suspends travel between Negros and Iloilo City

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas. Photo from his Facebook page

BACOLOD CITY –– Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has ordered the suspension of inbound and outbound travel between Negros Island and Iloilo City from 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, to 11:59 p.m. of May 31.

Treñas, in an executive order signed Sunday, May 23, placed Iloilo City under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

While he ordered the suspension of passenger travel, he said the unimpeded movement of cargos in and out of Iloilo and Negros Island would be guaranteed.

Captain Ludovico Librilla, Coast Guard Station Negros Occidental commander, said roll-on, roll-off vessels from Negros to the Dumangas port in Iloilo province would continue to operate unless Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor issues a similar order.

Travelers who enter through Dumangas may not be allowed into Iloilo City, he said.

Defensor said he would discuss the matter with Treñas on Monday to decide on a similar suspension for travel between Negros and Iloilo.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management Emerging Infectious Diseases granted Saturday Treñas’ request to place Iloilo City under MECQ from May 23 to 31 to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Frank Carbon, Weesam Express consultant, said the livelihood of thousands of people would be affected by the travel suspension and affect the local economy.

LZB