San Carlos City to restore border checkpoints

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The San Carlos city government in Negros Occidental will restore checkpoints for its boundaries with Vallehermoso town and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental starting Feb. 22.

Mayor Renato Gustilo said the restoration of border control is upon the request of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

As of last Friday, San Carlos City has six active COVID-19 cases, from its peak of 60 in the past several months, the mayor added.

Border control between San Carlos and Vallehermoso, as well as that of Mabinay town in Negros Oriental and Kabankalan City on the Occidental side, were relaxed following a huge drop in the number of COVID cases.

Gustilo said Vallehermoso residents will only be allowed to enter San Carlos City if they have a medical certificate to prove they will not be infected with COVID-19, while those from Canlaon City will be required to present an RT-PCR test result at the checkpoint.