This Week in Bacolod (March 1 to 7, 2020)

Summer is fast approaching. A trip to the beach sounds perfect because of the decent temperature ranging from 29 °C to 32 °C. You will be greeted with the sun’s tolerable heat and the wind’s cool gust, though you would have to use sunblock to avoid sunburn. At night, the temperature will descend a few degrees to 23 °C to 24 °C [1].

Mayor Evelio Leonardia asked barangay (village) officials to submit accurate reports on road clearing operations within each sector [2]. All local government units (LGUs) were directed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to maintain cleared roads and strictly implement the road clearing directive. The mayors in other cities are also tasked to monitor each barangay's effort. 75 days were given to the LGUs for the second round of road clearing. So far, 29 out of 61 barangays have reported that they were able to completely demolish illegal structures.

In the midst of the COVID-19 scare, Filipino students who are leaving to study outside of the country are exempted from the travel ban to Hong Kong and Macau. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also stated that OFWs and their families, as well as holders of diplomatic visas, are authorized to enter the country, but are subject to a 14-day quarantine after arriving. The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong also advised the Filipinos to watch their health and take precautions to avoid spreading the virus [3].

The latest tourist destination in EB Magalona, the Tomongtong mangrove eco-trail, recorded a total of 29,579 visitors since its opening last year. Ma. Teresa Alvarez, the tourism officer-in-charge said that the number of tourists who visited the eco-trail reached thousands every month from September to December of last year [4]. The eco-trail has a bamboo bridge that reaches the 20-hectare mangrove forest [5], and the tourist spot is also home to the Philippine ducks and blue swimmer crabs. The municipality of EB Magalona will also add more trails with a viewing deck to give tourists a better view of the mangrove park.

The Panaad Festival will still push through at Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City on April 20 to 26 as confirmed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson. The national government agreed to allow the festival to push through unless something serious happens. The governor also assured the public that the Provincial Health Office will execute precautionary measures to avoid an outbreak, including the use of infrared thermometers to screen festival-goers. According to a joint statement last February 18 by the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Tourism, meetings, festivals, and public gatherings can be held as long as all precautionary measures are met [6].

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