Fiesta lockdown in 

Cortes, Jan 14-17 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan 8 (PIA) – Cortes town imposes a four-day parochial fiesta lockdown and sets up seven control points to mesh out only residents to enter and disembark in locations all throughout the town. 

This as local authorities attempt to implement measures to manage and prevent the potential spread of coronavirus disease, whose outbreaks have toppled global economies and shaken communities worldwide. 

Using the state policy of protecting and promoting the peoples’ right to health and instilling health consciousness among its citizens, Cortes Mayor Lynn Iven Lim issued Executive Order No. 01-001, series of 2021, issuing the guidelines during the fiesta celebration in honor of the Holy Child, Nauary 15-16. 

The expected influx of people and devotees of the Santo Nino has pushed the local authorities to impose guidelines in commemoration of the feast day, even as the local authorities also called and enjoined full participation of the local citizenry in the celebration. 

On this, the mayor has officially ordered the ban on the entry of non-residents of the town beginning January 14 until January 17. 

The mayor has also ordered local peace authorities to set up border control points, with barangay tanods patrolling their areas to implement the order. 

Border control points would be set up effective January 14 in the Balilihan-Rosario highway boundary, Corella Balilihan Highway exits to Barangay Patrocinio, exit to Barangay Fatima, Corella exit to Barangay New Lourdes, Corella and Tagbilaran City Access to Barangay Lourdes, Tagbilaran to Tubigon Highway Junction to Cortes at Barangay Salvador and at Junction to Cortes in Lilo-an Poblacion. 

The order says non residents would be disallowed entry. 

The order however exempts Cortes residents, PUBs, PUJs tricycles and private vehicles traversing the town with its passengers now allowing anyone disembarking at any point. 

Non-residents but working in Cortes would be asked identification cards or work passes, while residents who do not have quarantine passes should be able to present work or company identification cards. 

Also exempted from the lockdown and could enter the town are COVID-19 frontliners, PNP, BFP, army, CAFGU and allied law enforcement officers, government officials, bishops, priests on to feast day masses and residents of barangays Lourdes, Upper dela Paz, De La Paz and other persons as may be allowed by law. 

While the order puts up partial liquor ban which makes illegal drinking in public, it also mandates moderation while drinking in private areas, as Cortes police Station personnel, other law enforcement officials and barangay tanods lead in the implementation of the order. 

On this Barangay officials are also tasked to ensure laws, rules and regulation are imposed in their areas of jurisdiction, and maintain maximum tolerance in their enforcement keeping in mind their duty of the state to serve and protect. 

Moreover, the executive order also enjoins residents and concerned individuals to observe minimum health standards: one meter social distancing, proper wearing of face masks, face shields and frequent hand washing. 

The order tajes effect 12:02 of January 14 and ends 12:00 noon of January 17, 2021. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol) 

CORTES ON TO A FIESTA. Cortes mayor Lynn Iven Lim issues an Executive Order which imposes a no-entry for nen-residents to Cortes starting January 14-17, as Bohol continues to manage the effects of coronavirus disease whci could be spread faster with converging of people as characterized by fiesta gatherings. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol) 

MASKED DANCERS. Dancers of Infant King Academy in Cortes open the post novena dance tribute to the Santo Niño, by observing social distancing and wearing of proper face masks, as Cortes imposes a four day lockdown January 14-17. (PIABohol)