By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY – Concerns have been raised over the presence of two Chinese vessels at Semirara Island, the coalmine reservation in Antique province where four people have already tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“The Chinese cargo ships are enjoying the privilege in spite of worry and fear by the community in Semirara, who mix with the coalmine workers,” said Bong Sanchez, president of the environmental group Save Antique Movement (SAM).

A vessel arrived Friday, the same day the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that Semirara Island registered three new positive cases of COVID-19.

While one of the vessels left Saturday, Sanchez urged that a temporarily ban be imposed on the entry of Chinese ships that transport coal out of the island that is part of Caluya town.

Sanchez told The Manila Bulletin on Sunday that the presence of the two Chinese vessels was against the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which aims to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“The government made it mandatory for residents to stay home, but it’s OK for the Chinese vessels to come in,” Sanchez pointed out.

Sanchez also reiterated that Antique’s first COVID-19 case was also in Semirara, and raised concerns for more transmissions.

“Better yet, Semirara Island must be in total lockdown. Several more are still awaiting for their COVID-19 test results,” Sanchez added.

The DOH separately confirmed the three new COVID-19 positives had close contact with the first case, a 74-year-old man who flew to Semirara from Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, the local government of Caluya town has been enforcing a policy that Chinese crew members of vessels cannot disembark while the coal was being loaded into the vessel via conveyor.