BACOLOD CITY (PNA) – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson returned to work on Thursday after testing negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), following his exposure to an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) who was infected with the virus.

On Wednesday night, Executive Assistant Charina Magallanes-Tan confirmed that the governor’s reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test yielded a negative result.
After his two-day self-isolation, Lacson proceeded to an out-of-town activity, attending the groundbreaking rites for the construction of a three-storey hemodialysis center at the Ignacio L. Arroyo Memorial District Hospital in Isabela town.
“I don’t feel any symptoms. My health condition is normal,” Lacson said in an interview hours before his result came out.
Lacson, as well as 18 employees of the DILG provincial office, went on self-isolation on Tuesday after they were exposed to a female agency official from Iloilo province, who tested positive after attending the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Summit 2021 held at the Negrenses Residences here on January 22.
The governor had direct contact with the DILG official during the awarding rites.
Meanwhile in Isabela, Lacson joined fifth district Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo and Mayor Irene Montilla during the groundbreaking ceremony for the P19.5-million hemodialysis center.
The 12-bed facility, which will be constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Negros Occidental Second District Engineering Office, is scheduled to be completed within the year.