This Week in Bacolod (November 21 to 27, 2021)

Curfew hours in Bacolod are changed, and the city is placed under Alert Level 2. At the same time, Negros Occidental is also placed under Alert Level 2 until November 30.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leornardia shortened the curfew hours previously from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM, now 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM. [1]

The Office of the Presidential Spokesperson declared this update, also placing the rest of Western Visayas under Alert Level 2 by the National Inter-Agency Task Force. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia is emphatic in saying that Bacolodnons should not be complacent despite the downgrade of the city’s alert status. He said that everyone should still adhere to safety protocols and for the rest of the unvaccinated population to be vaccinated while they still can. The downgrade of the quarantine status was expected because of the decline of active COVID-19 cases for the past weeks, as said by government officials. Bacolod’s vaccination rate also shows optimistic results. Mall-based vaccinations, barangay vaccinations, and inoculation in some purok are still ongoing to fully vaccinate the city’s population. [2]

The governor implemented that during curfew hours, residents are not allowed to go outside their homes, except for those with emergencies, authorized persons with urgent matters, and individuals with valid work shifts. [3]

With regards to vaccination, Lacson issued an order that workers and employees of particular establishments like amusement parks, theme parks, recreational venues, cinemas, personal care facilities, fitness studios, karaoke bars, concert halls, and others of the like must be fully vaccinated. [4]

As travel restrictions ease, Cebu Pacific boosts up its domestic network to respond to the rising travel demand through increasing Bacolod flights, from twice to now nine times per week, starting from November 15. The airline company will start its operations on daily flights of Manila-Bacolod via 5J 485, which is scheduled for departure from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9:20 AM. The return flight via 5J 486 is scheduled to leave Bacolod Silay Airport at 11:15 AM.

To further promote the vaccination initiatives of the province, all passengers who are fully vaccinated going to Bacolod and from Bacolod with pre-purchased baggage will be waived of the fees for 5kg excess baggage, starting November 15, 2021, to January 15, 2022. These passengers must only present a vaccination card or a certificate at the CEB check in-counters. [5]

The whole population of Bacolod is nearly close to its target of vaccinating 100% of its residents. Mayor Leonardia is optimistic that the city government is nearing its goal of complete vaccination of its target population by December 2021. The Department of Health or DOH in Western Visayas with Regional Director Adriano Suba-an reported that the city is now at a 50% vaccination rate. Leonardia joined frontliners from Emergency Operations Center-Task Force or EOC-TF and Covid19 Vaccination Council or Covac in an optimistic note that the city government is on its way to herd immunity.

As of real-time data from the EOC-TF, Bacolod’s vaccination numbers have reached almost beyond the 50% mark. A total of 269,741 Bacolodnons have already received their vaccination. The 50% is at 212,496 based on the target population, as data reflected. [6]

Following the updated quarantine status and new alert level updates in Bacolod and Negros Occidental, minors and children are now allowed to go out and enter malls. Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who also spearheads the local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), emphasized that children should be with their parents or guardians. [7] Familiaran, on behalf of the city government, emphasizes to the public that safety protocols must still be followed, including when going to shopping malls.

Bacolod City’s premier residential village located in Northhill Gateway dazzles in Christmas lights and brightly lit parols, led by Bacolod City Mayor Leonardia.

The beautiful parols are handcrafted by the inmates of the city’s Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). The bright parols marked the city’s joyous welcome to the happiest time of the year, and at the same time, the Christmas display was made to become an attraction in support of the inmates’ livelihood program.

Megaworld’s The Northhill Gateway is a 53-hectare township, and you can simply pass by the display at the boundary of Talisay and Bacolod City, along the new Bacolod-Silay Access Road. The bright holiday attraction is specifically located at The Clubhouse in Forbes Hill. [8]

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Bacolod!