Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Tuesday, October 29, that a MassKara street dance competition “open category” that will allow entries from other cities and foreign countries to join is being eyed.
He said this would be on top of the barangay street dance and arena competition.
It is hoped that an open category would draw more tourists from other parts of the country and the world to the MassKara Festival, he said, although for now it is just a suggestion that is being considered.
It would also elevate the international status of the MassKara Festival, he said.
Benitez described this year’s 45th MassKara Festival a success. It drew record crowds to its various events and billions of pesos into the local economy, he said.
He believes the local revenues surpassed last year’s Department of Tourism figure of P3 billion, but computations are still being made, Benitez said.
MassKara Festival food kiosks will remain open at the Bacolod Public Plaza, The Upper East and the Bacolod City Government Center grounds until Thursday, Oct. 31.
12,500 VOUCHERS
The mayor said the P2.5 million he donated will enable the distribution of 12,500 food vouchers at P200 each for residents and security personnel assigned at the food kiosks sites.
About 70 to 80 percent of the food vouchers will be consumable at the food kiosks at the Bacolod Public Plaza to make up for their losses during the Severe Tropical Storm Kristine rains last week, Benitez said.
He said the vouchers are being distributed by the city councilors and some personnel at the mayor’s office.
The kiosks owners will then claim payment for the vouchers from the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation.
The vouchers have QR codes so they cannot be faked.
Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod police director, reiterated that the MassKara Festival that began on Oct. 11 has been generally peaceful, with no major crime having taken place.*