By Glazyl Masculino BACOLOD CITY - The supposed resumption of sea trips between Bacolod and Iloilo starting Monday, May 18, was cancelled after the appeal of local government officials here and in Negros Occidental for its postponement was granted by the Maritime Industry Authority-Region 6 (Marina-6). Commander Jansen Benjamin, head of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Negros Occidental, said on Sunday that he received a call from Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Saturday night, informing him about the city's appeal that was granted by Marina-6. He then relayed this to the PCG commander in Iloilo City for proper coronation. Benjamin earlier announced the resumption of sea trips between Bacolod and Iloilo under general community quarantine (GCQ). But with this recent development, all fast crafts and roll-on roll-off vessels will not be allowed to travel until further notice. Leonardia, in a letter dated May 15, addressed to Marina Administrator Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, through Marina-6 Director Jose Venancio Vero Jr., requested that the resumption of operations of passenger vessels within areas under GCQ be postponed, upon his consultation with other city officials and members of the local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). "It is our belief that most, if not all, concerned local government units (LGUs) share the same apprehension that should passenger travel via our seaports resume, the possibility of spreading COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) infection across borders is substantially increased," he said. Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also made the same request to Empedrad, Secretary Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and PCG Commandant Admiral Joel Garcia. But he noted in his appeal that the suspension of sea trips in the province be only until May 31. Lacson also included in his appeal that the resumption of passenger airlines of all domestic flights will be moved tp June 1.