Peace, unity, and safety are this year’s prayers of Mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Balilihan on July 16, 2020.
As the town is about to celebrate the fiesta, the town mayor Maria Pureza Chatto issued an executive order outlining the activities allowed including a lockdown of the town from July 15 to July 16, 2020.
This year’s festivities are simple, but not lacking of a stronger spirit of thanksgiving for blessings despite challenges brought about by the COVID pandemic, Chatto said.
Afternoon novena prayers asking for the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel began last July 7, 2020.
On the day of the fiesta itself, a thanksgiving mass will be offered at 10:00 am with Diocese of Tagbilaran Bishop Abet Uy officiating. The parish will follow 50% capacity during the Holy Mass inside the church, as provided in Executive Order No. 33 issued by Gov. Art Yap which placed Bohol under modified community quarantine from July 1 – 15.
The mayor who is on top of COVID response regularly posts updates on her Facebook account. She personally led and supervised the preparation of isolation and quarantine centers. She also delivered food supplies and health kits to households and frontline workers.
The crisis has brought Balilinhons together in the protection of its people and in keeping the safety of the town, Chatto stated. She is thankful for the support of Balilihan officials, health care workers, and frontline personnel and the collaboration with provincial and national government officials.
On June 30, Mayor Chatto signed Executive Order No. 28 implementing a total lockdown in Balilihan from 12:00 am of July 15 until 11:59 pm of July 16.
The imposition of the total lockdown will prevent influx of visitors from other parts of the province, the order said.
The order allows the practice of “Bundakay”, a local tradition of pooling resources for the fiesta celebration. A maximum of 20 people may gather to get their share with strict social distancing to be observed.
While households may prepare fiesta food, outside guests are not allowed.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will establish checkpoints in all entry and exit points of Balilihan during the lockdown, including the boundaries of Balilihan and Corella/Cortes/Sikatuna/Sevilla/Antequera/Catigbian National Road/Sagasa-Ambuan Provincial Road/Batuan. Only holders of quarantine passes issued by Balilihan are allowed entry.
Distribution and donation of food will also be allowed with permit from Office of the Mayor and upon the recommendation of the Municipal Health Office and coordination of PNP Balilihan.
Chatto said Balilihan also will also celebrate the fiesta with thanks this year for continued progress as evidenced by completed and ongoing infrastructure projects that include bulk water supply, waterworks system, road projects, municipal infrastructure such as senior citizen building, evacuation center, public market, slaughterhouse, among others.
The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a tradition first attested to in the late 14th century which said that Saint Simon Stock had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in which she gave him the Brown Scapular.