BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental extended the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) of his province at least until the end of the month.
In Executive Order No. 44, Series of 2020 he signed last night, Lacson pointed out that the province has 2,119 positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of Sept. 13.
The MGCQ extension took effect early morning today at 12 a.m. and expected to last until 11:59 p.m. of Sept. 30.
Bacolod City, on the other hand, remains under modified enhanced community quarantine status until 11:59 p.m. of Sept. 30.
Lawyer Rayfrando Diaz, provincial administrator, said transporters of essential goods will still be issued provincial passes, which were previously issued by Lacson so they can still travel when Bacolod City imposes a border checkpoint.
In a related development, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) announced 13 of its personnel got infected with the viral illness.
Lieutenant Wilma Silva, NOCPPO deputy public information officer, said of the total cases, four have already recovered while nine others are on their way to recovery.
“Most of them have been assigned in hotels and other accommodation establishments to secure returning overseas Filipinos,” she said.
Silva added that personnel infected with COVID-19 each received P10,000 cash assistance, which came from the fundraising project of NOCPPO.
Last month, personnel of NOCPPO began raising funds through their own contribution to assist colleagues who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Police officers who test positive for COVID-19 are required to observe 14 days of quarantine and undergo another test. After they are cleared, they have to rest for seven to 10 more days before reporting back to duty.
As of September 13, a total of 5,060 police personnel nationwide have been infected. Of the number, 3,623 have already recovered while 16 have died from the virus. (With PNA/PN)
