Balilihan mayor Maria Pureza Chatto issues an executive order (EO) ordering a lockdown of the town during the fiesta dates of the said town on July 15 to 16, 2020.
Chatto issued the EO dated June 30, 2020, ordering a total lockdown of the town from 12 midnight of July 15, 2020 until 11:59 pm of July 16, 2020.
Chatto said the purpose of the said total lockdown is to avoid an influx of visitors for the town fiesta.
She added, “The Balilihan Philippine National Police (PNP), in coordination with the members of the PNP Regional Mobile Group (RMG) and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) serving as an augmentation force shall cordon-off the entry and exit points of the municipality and shall patrol the perimeter 24/7.”
The mayor added, “Only holders of Quarantine Passes issued by the Municipality of Balilihan shall be allowed entry into the town. Quarantine passes shall be checked per individual at the checkpoint area.”
Chatto added in her executive order, “The practice of ‘Bundakay’ shall be allowed. provided that no more than 20 people may gather to get their share of food and provided further that social distancing shall be followed at all times. While households may prepare fiesta food, outside guests are not allowed. Distribution or donation of food for the public shall be allowed provided that a permit is obtained from the Office of the Mayor, upon recommendation of the Municipal Health Office and in coordination with the Balilihan PNP,” the mayor said in her executive order.
The Balilihan mayor also wrote in her EO that, “The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), together with the PNP of the Municipality of Balilihan and the Barangay Tanods of each barangay are hereby directed to strictly enforce this Executive Order.“