This Week in Bacolod (January 17 to 23, 2021)

Even though Dumaguete and Negros Oriental reopened their bus routes to Cebu City and vice versa, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson stated that he is not yet ready to reopen the province’s borders. The governor added that the reopening of borders with Negros Oriental has not yet been discussed with Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. He also has to consult the Incident Management Team of the province before reopening the province’s borders [1].

The Government of Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental has canceled its annual Sinulog Festival due to the ongoing pandemic. In a meeting with the Sinulog Foundation, Kabankalan Mayor Pedro Zayco called off the competition among the different tribal villages at the city’s public plaza. The mayor and the Diocese of Kabankalan reminded the public to follow the health protocols as the Novenario Masses for the feast day of Señor Sto. Niño will still push through at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral [2].

Six Negros Occidental towns budget PhP121 million for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines: Sagay, Himamaylan, Cadiz, Talisay, Kabankalan, and Bago City. Sagay set aside a budget of PhP40 million, Himamaylan City allocated PhP1 million, and Cadiz City earmarked PhP80 million.

Meanwhile, the other cities are still waiting for a meeting with the country’s vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez for the purchase of vaccines. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said frontliners will be the first to get vaccinated [3].

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