Another Negros mayor gets COVID-19 after party meeting

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Mayor Mark Golez of Silay City in Negros Occidental has tested positive for COVID-19.

Golez announced on Facebook on Wednesday night that he contracted the virus even as he assured his constituents that there is nothing to worry about because he is fully vaccinated and has mild symptoms.

”Rest assured that strict quarantine protocols have been observed in my isolation and that prompt and precise contact tracing has been conducted in order to immediately identify and contain those I have come into contact with,” he said.

Golez is the third mayor of Negros Occidental who caught the virus after attending the Love Negros party meeting at a resort in Talisay last Saturday.

Mayors Pedro Zayco of Kabankalan and Neil Lizares of Talisay had earlier been found infected. The two are also fully vaccinated.

Silay city administrator Jose Eduard Davila said the mayor’s office was closed starting yesterday until Sunday for disinfection. City hall employees were advised to work from home.

Former Negros Occidental lawmaker Alfredo Benitez, convenor of Love-Negros, tested negative for the virus.

Results of the swab testing of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Rep. Jose Alfredo Benitez and Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano and 10 other mayors who attended the party meeting have yet to be released.