Fireworks over the Paglaum Stadium in Bacolod City capped the three-week MassKara Festival Sunday night.*Jerancy Antonio Productions photo
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Tuesday, October 25, that he believes Bacolod City exceeded its targets for the MassKara Festival as seen by the huge crowds during the three-week celebration that ended Sunday.
The mayor, prior to the festival, said that the MassKara celebration was expected to draw 200,000 visitors and generate income of about P5 billion for Bacolod.
“I think it’s probably even more,” he said, when asked on Tuesday if his targets were met.
Bacolod has set the trend for the rest of the country to get back to normalcy and celebrate, Benitez said.
Benitez said with the success of this year’s MassKara, hopefully in 2023 there will be more investors and sponsors who will come to Bacolod.
He attributed the success of the MassKara to the Bacolodnons and the cooperation of all, noting that it was very peaceful with no untoward incidents.
The attendance at all the MassKara events, especially during the last week, was overwhelming and overflowing, Benitez said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the support of the provincial government for the festival was not only through the MassKara sa Panaad, but also by allowing the use of its facilities for major events.
Lacson said he is sure the festival increased the money in circulation in Bacolod.*