Google map of Negros Island.
DUMAGUETE CITY – Negros Oriental is not easing its border control even as two major entry/exit points in two of its municipalities have allowed travel to and from the neighboring province of Negros Occidental.
Capitol spokesperson and Public Information Officer Bimbo Miraflor said in a statement on Monday that the province “in general is not easing border control” and that the decision of the local government units (LGUs) of Vallehermoso and Mabinay to open their borders “kinahanglan moagi pa sa pag-aprobar sa regional IATF-7 (these still need the approval of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Region 7)”.
The statement came following concerns from certain quarters over the possible lifting of border control in Negros Oriental amid reports of some suspected cases of the UK variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) already in Negros Occidental.
Vallehermoso and Mabinay already opened their borders to adjacent areas in the neighboring province.
“Ug wala magpasabot nga ang pasudlon sa ilang hurisdiksyon tugotan na sa pagsulod sa mga ciudad sa Bais ug Guihulngan (and this does not mean that those who enter their areas of jurisdiction will also be allowed entry to the cities of Bais and Guihulngan),” he said.
Vallehermoso is the last town of Negros Oriental in the north and shares boundaries with Guihulngan City.
On the other hand, Mabinay is situated in central Negros, bounded by Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental in the west and is a shorter route to Bacolod City, and Bais City in the east.
Miraflor said the provincial IATF and the local IATFs of the two cities will be meeting soon to discuss the current situation, while Mabinay and Vallehermoso LGUs are asked to put up their individual border control measures for the meantime.
The provincial government is still awaiting funding for border control personnel to be deployed to these towns, he added.
“As far as the provincial government is concerned, the executive order (of Gov. Roel Degamo) is still in effect, and the easing of LGU border controls in Mabinay and Vallehermoso will not assure the traveling public of ease of entry into the province without securing the necessary documentary requirements for travel and following the minimum health protocols,” he said.
The province of Negros Occidental is also still implementing strict border control within its jurisdiction, he added. (PNA)
