VP Robredo to arrive in Negros Occidental on Nov. 5

Vice President Leni Robredo is coming to town and the next wave of the Pink Revolution is on, a press statement from Laban Leni Negros Occidental said.

Volunteer groups and supporters of the Vice President are set to give her a huge welcome when she visits Negros Occidental on November 5, the group also said.

Laban Leni Negros Occidental (LLNO), one of the major volunteer groups involved in the preparations, said it will stage a “highway welcome” for the Vice President – a stationary caravan which was earlier set to reach Bacolod but will now cover only the cities of Talisay and Silay due to ECQ restrictions.

The National Inter-Agency Task Force placed Bacolod under Alert Level 4 effective Nov. 1-14, forcing organizers, in view of the prohibition on mass gatherings and motorcades, to move key events to localities that remain on Alert Level 2.

LLNO spokesperson, Atty. Pinky Mirano-Ocampo, said they have been closely monitoring the situation and will “abide with LGU protocols”.

“But it’s still all systems go and we have measures in place to ensure that our volunteers will strictly adhere to basic health protocols,” Ocampo added.

“We are aiming for a thousand vehicles and we are close to that number,” Ocampo said, adding that all precautions, including fielding of marshalls and medical teams, will be taken to maintain safety and order.

Former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, chair of the Negros for Leni (N4L) movement coordinating the visit, said that “Because of Bacolod’s Alert Level 4 status, we have revised the plans and will transfer key activities initially scheduled within Bacolod City to non-category 4 towns and cities.”

Coscolluela said the Vice President’s activities, which include a project site visit and a People’s Assembly, are being coordinated with concerned sectoral groups and communities who are eagerly awaiting the Vice President’s arrival. The number of Assembly participants, however, has been reduced to follow IATF protocols.

“We are very pleased to see the whole-hearted participation of LLNO volunteers, our Negros for Leni team and the many other groups involved in preparations for VP Leni’s visit,“ Coscolluela said while reporting on the plans being laid out.

Robredo, Coscolluela added, will also pay courtesy calls on Bishop Patricio Buzon, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose V. Lacson.*