BACOLOD City – Operators of shipping companies plying the Bacolod-Iloilo route and vice versa are requesting the local government unit here not to require negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results from passengers.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia recently issued Executive Order (EO) No. 42 amending the travel protocols between Panay Island and this city .
Part of the EO cited, “Travelers from Panay Island, including APORs (Authorized Persons Outside their Residences), may be allowed to enter this city subject to the presentation of a negative RT-PCR test result which must have been obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival in Bacolod City.”
“We’re requesting the city of Bacolod not to require negative the RT-PCR test from passengers, instead, do the ‘swab in go’ safety protocol upon arrival of passengers at Bredco port in the Reclamation Area here,” said Frank Carbon, operator of Weesam Express.
He also did not discount the possibility of people faking test results, plus the added financial burden in undergoing RT-PCR tests.
Meanwhile, Carbon said due to the enhanced community quarantine in Iloilo, the trips of fastferry companies have been temporarily suspended.
“We will advise the riding public of our trip resumption,” Carbon said./PN
