NegOcc guv wants seaports to remain closed till May 31

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL  Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has appealed to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and two other government officials to delay the opening of seaports in the province until after May 31.  

“I requested that seaports also remain closed up to the end of the month. In the same manner as the airlines have decided that their operations will remain closed until the end of the month,” Lacson said in a press conference at the Capitol Social Hall here on Friday.

Aside from sending a letter dated May 14 to Tugade, Lacson also sent similar communications to Maritime Industry Authority Administrator Robert Empedrad and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Joel Garcia.

Lacson sent the request after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) allowed passenger vessels to resume operations starting May 16.

“I would like to request your office to postpone the implementation of this directive until May 31, 2020. In the same way that passenger airlines moved the resumption of all domestic flights to June 1, 2020. I believe that it is but wise and prudent that all domestic sea travels should resume on the same date,” he said in the letters.

He cited Section 3.3.1 in his Executive Order 20-23, which mandates that borders, airports, and seaports of Negros Occidental shall remain closed and will remain in full force until May 31.

“I hope that the national government will respect the right and authority of the local government to enact measures to protect the health and welfare of its constituents,” Lacson added.

During the press conference, Lacson said he feels that it is best for Negros Occidental to keep its seaports and airports closed until the provincial government can bring home all the stranded Negrenses, including overseas Filipino workers, back to the province.

“How far we can keep it closed, I cannot say. At least as far as the airport is concerned, it is closed until May 31st. The seaports are another issue,” he added.

Negros Occidental was placed under enhanced community quarantine from March 30 to April 30 to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The province, which shifted to general community quarantine on May 1, has nine Covid-19 cases, three of whom have already recovere,(By Nanette Guadalquiver)