BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has advised city and municipal mayors to enforce zonal lockdowns in areas of their localities, which have reported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“I’m encouraging local chief executives, if you feel you have to lock down certain areas, go ahead. You don’t have to wait for the governor’s advice. Don’t be afraid, if you think it is best for your locality,” Lacson said in a radio interview on Wednesday.
He added that in any case, executive orders for such purpose are still subject to review of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Western Visayas.
On Wednesday, Mayor Richard Jaojoco placed at least 700 households in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso on lockdown after nine out of the 56 residents who underwent swab tests turned out positive for Covid-19.
In nearby San Carlos City, Mayor Renato Gustilo placed 24 households in Barangay Guadalupe on lockdown.
Some 16 church choir members and some lay leaders were among those infected.
Also in Cadiz City, Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. ordered a lockdown for Purok Mainuswagon, Barangay Zone 2 as residents undergo swab tests.
As of April 6, Negros Occidental has 552 active cases, including 164 in San Carlos City alone, the highest in the province.
With the spike in cases in northern Negros city, all its resorts and parks have been indefinitely closed to the public.
On the latest list provided by the Provincial Incident Management Team, Cadiz City has the second-highest active cases, with 54; followed by La Carlota City, 47; Kabankalan City, 39; Silay City, 26; and Talisay City, 24; Bago City, 22; and Ilog with 20.
The rest of the cities and municipalities have below 20 active cases, except for Candoni, Hinobaa-an, La Castellana, and Don Salvador Benedicto, which have all zero cases. (PNA)
