This Week in Bacolod (October 11 to 17, 2020)

The City Government of Bacolod urged Bacoleños to observe and practice minimum health protocols even though quarantine measures were eased. As per the recommendation of the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF), Bacolod City was placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) for October following last month’s stricter modified enhanced community quarantine status. According to Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), granular or localized lockdowns in barangays must be monitored by village and health officials. He also urged families to practice minimum health protocols whether they are at home or in public [1].

The 41st Masskara Festival of Bacolod City has been suspended to prevent COVID-19 local transmissions in the city. Under Executive Order (EO) 62 issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, the order suspends public celebrations and Masskara-related activities and events. The world-famous festival in Bacolod is held every October and attracts tourists and locals. This is the first time in four decades that the annual celebration was cancelled [2].

Mayor Gina Lizares of Sipalay City has issued EO 2020-040, extending the ban on tourism-related and non-essential travels in the area until October 15, 2020. The Jewel of the Sugar Island is one of the most visited tourist spots in the province and is known for its natural attractions. And in order to prevent further local transmissions in Sipalay City, all travelers coming from or going to any high-risk areas shall be prohibited from entering or reentering the city [3].

About 775 enterprises in Negros Occidental have ceased operations due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. According to Engeimer Tupas, officer-in-charge chief of the Industry Development Division of The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Occidental, most of the enterprises are micro scale ones and the figure reflects all businesses that have closed down since January to September this year. The breakdown of the total consists of 304 businesses in Bacolod City and 471 in Negros Occidental, and operations are shut down since consumers avoid going out for purchases [4].

To encourage recovery from the economic consequences of the COVID-19, programs were implemented by the DTI to help local micro, small, and medium businesses. One of the programs is the Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB) where local government units form partnerships with the local entrepreneurs.

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Bacolod.