This Week in Bacolod (December 19 to 25, 2021)

The entire country, including Bacolod and Negros, is placed under Alert Level 2 until December 31, 2021.

The Western Visayas Center for Health Development classified Region 6 provinces and highly urbanized cities as minimal risk, confirmed by Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, representative of the health sector above. [1]

DOH reports that the average daily attack rate and the health care utilization rate of Bacolod City have reduced to significant percentages.

With the downgrade of Bacolod City’s quarantine status, the good news is also ahead for the province of Negros Occidental since there are no more COVID-positive patients confined in all the quarantine facilities in the province. Active cases have also declined for the past week, as reported by Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force action officer Rayfrando Diaz last December 13. [2]

Currently, the people at these quarantine facilities in the province are authorized persons outside residences (APORs) who volunteered for self-isolation in these respective quarantine facilities. Diaz also reported that 20 COVID-19 patients were being treated at the Cadiz District Hospital, 13 confirmed, and the seven suspected cases remain.

The three main quarantine facilities in the province are EB Magalona, Silay City, Cadiz City, and one in the famous Mambukal Mountain Resort in Murcia, now officially open to the public.

Diaz stressed that everyone should still adhere to the mandated health and safety protocols despite the pandemic situation easing in the province.

2GO Group’s request to increase the number of passengers on its sea vessels traveling to Negros Occidental has been granted by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, effective last December 16.

2GO can increase the passenger capacity of its sea travel vessels to 70%.

Under the Alert Level 2 quarantine classification, intrazonal and interzonal travel of all ages and for any purpose, including leisure, shall be allowed. [3]

Other than sea travel, Governor Lacson has also granted the request of Vallacar Transit Inc. to resume bus travel from Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental to the municipality of Hinoba-an and Sipalay City, and vice-versa, which took effect last December 16.

The iconic Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City is now open to all visitors regardless of age, under Alert Level 2 status of the province.

In an Executive Order issued by Governor Lacson, a maximum of 70% capacity is allowed to enter the lagoon and other leisure attractions like plazas, parks, scenic areas, and others of the like. The lagoon will be open from 4:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Anyone can enter the lagoon regardless of vaccination status, and a vaccination card is not required.

Wearing face masks and practicing safe social distancing are still implemented. Governor Lacson has designated the Provincial Incident Management Team to oversee that such health protocols are ensured. Meanwhile, on the other side of Bacolod City, the first-ever McDonald’s NXTGEN cafe located at the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road or commonly known by the locals as Circumferential Road, has opened to visitors and diners last December 16.

This new leisure establishment is part of the 53-hectare Northhill Gateway Township in Baranggay Estefania, Bacolod City. McDonald’s NXTGEN or the McDonald’s Forbes Hill is the 17th Megaworld owned McDonald’s outlet and the 860th McDonald’s store in the Philippines. [4]

The café is set to be open 24 hours, serving coffee, shakes, frappes, pastries, and juices, along with the classic burger and fries. The café also has a bike and dining facility and self-ordering kiosks.

The province of Negros Occidental is getting closer to reaching herd immunity by February next year. Five hundred four thousand two hundred thirteen (504,213) individuals from Negros Occidental have already been fully vaccinated, and 945,499 are individuals now done with their first dose, equivalent to 51.80%. [5]

The provincial government targets 1,825,270 Negros Occidental residents eligible for vaccination to achieve herd immunity. Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force action officer Rayfrando Diaz emphasized that the local government is continuing its vaccination rollout of vaccines available or upon arrival in the province, with or without the mass vaccinations.

COVID19 vaccination teams have also been deployed to assist local government units in their vaccination activities.

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