NOTE: THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE BOHOL CHRONICLE’S SUNDAY PRINT EDITION.

The capital city plays the role model in locking down its entrances for four days prior and during the celebration of the Tagbilaran Fiesta on May 1.

Mayor Baba Yap will issue an Executive Order tomorrow on the lockdown from April 29 to May 2 in order to ensure that no fiesta visitors will jam the houses in the city.

Police checkpoints will be guarding all the entrances to the city to block the entry of visitors. Only those working in the city and health personnel will be allowed entry, the mayor said.

He likewise appealed to city residents not to start any preparation for their annual fiesta banquets as this will invite fiesta visitors.

Tagbilaran City – being the first to celebrate its fiesta during the fiesta month of May -will play as a role model in banning gatherings during the coming fiesta, the mayor said.

However, family get- togethers will be allowed during the fiesta as long as only the immediate family members are present.

City Mayor Yap suggested for residents to instead donate their fiesta budget to churches as a way of thanksgiving to their patron saint.