STILL OPEN. The SM City Bacolod Supermarket will remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. although the mall’s operations will temporarily stop starting Thursday (March 19, 2020) until further notice. Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Advisory 1 to the eight shopping malls in Bacolod, urging their respective managements to observe guidelines on business operations in the light of the public concerns over Covid-19. (PNA Bacolod file photo)
BACOLOD CITY – With the growing public concern on the availability of food and other necessities, top officials of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City have issued directives to ensure the unhampered flow and sale of goods for their constituents.
In a memorandum addressed to all mayors, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said there should be a steady supply of basic needs and commodities, such as food and medicine, amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“All local government units (LGUs) are directed to maintain the free flow of all goods, equipment, and other essential products along the major roads and supply routes throughout Negros Occidental,” Lacson said in Memorandum 03-18-043 dated March 18.
He also ordered those concerned to refrain from setting up checkpoints in every LGU as a provincial-wide lockdown is being implemented.
“Focus all attention, efforts, and resources on the operationalization of all triage at the city/municipality level so that health concerns may be addressed (at) the soonest possible time to avoid the spread of Covid-19 in the province,” Lacson added.
On Sunday, he ordered the closure of borders, ports, and airports in Negros Occidental until April 14 as part of the province’s intensified measures against Covid-19.
“After due consultation with the local chief executives, national agencies and medical experts, there is a need to implement measures in order to insulate Negros Occidental from Covid-19,” Lacson said in Executive Order 20-15.
In the capital city of Bacolod, Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Executive Advisory 1 to the eight shopping malls in Bacolod City, urging their respective managements to observe guidelines on business operations in the light of the public concerns on Covid-19.
“It should be made clear that whatever option you may take with regard to your business operation during this public health emergency situation, the following businesses should be kept open since they provide essential public services,” Leonardia said in the order issued on Wednesday night.
These include drugstores and pharmacies, supermarkets and groceries, medical clinics and laboratories, government offices, bakeries, banks, and convenience stores (but no dine-in).
SM City Bacolod has announced that its mall operations will temporarily stop starting Thursday until further notice, but its supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, hardware, and select restaurants will remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Robinsons Place Bacolod will also be closed temporarily on Friday, but its establishments that offer basic necessities similar to those stated in Leonardia’s order would remain open.
On Tuesday night, Lacson and Leonardia met at the Provincial Capitol here to synchronize the implementation of precautionary measures against Covid-19 in the province and its capital city.
Both officials discussed how to fast-track the passage of vehicles carrying food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and products to avoid hampering vital services.
They also agreed on some measures that would ease the volume of traffic congestion in various check-up points or borders in Bacolod. (PNA)
