Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has extended the MassKara Festival to Thursday, October 31, to aid kiosk tenants affected by the heavy rains bought on by severe tropical storm “Kristine” and to give revelers more time to enjoy the festivities.
The festival that started on Oct. 11 was supposed to end on Sunday, October 27
The mayor also announced that he is personally donating P2.5 million in food vouchers to aid kiosk tenants, especially at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
During his speech at the Elektroika Diva and Float Parade competition at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) Saturday night, Benitez announced his support for kiosk renters, who have struggled to break even because of heavy rains that affected their sales on the recommendation of Councilor Celia Flor.
Food kiosks at the BCGC grounds, Bacolod Public Plaza, and The Upper East will benefit from four additional days to make up for the sales slump caused by the inclement weather, he said.
“This extension allows us to continue enjoying the festivities that were dampened by the unexpected impact of the typhoon. We’ve done this in the past; heavy rains in October are common, so we’ve occasionally postponed the festival’s conclusion,” the mayor said.
However, the festivities at a section of Lacson Street where huge stages and kiosks are located would end Sunday. “We cannot allow further disruption to a major thoroughfare”, the mayor said.
Benitez said his donation of P2.5 million for food vouchers will be distributed by the city councilors to those who have been unable to enjoy the festival because of the rain.
Rather than spending on more concerts and entertainment, the mayor said he would rather allocate funds for food vouchers. The vouchers can be redeemed at food kiosks at the Bacolod City Plaza to help boost sales.
“We’re here to give them and our visitors an exciting MassKara Festival to remember,” the mayor said.
Despite Typhoon Kristine’s impact this year’s MassKara Festival has been a success, Benitez also said.
“It was truly one for the books. Even with uncooperative weather, we had record-breaking crowds during the opening weekend and no major crimes reported,” he said.
Benitez said the proposal of Councilor Jason Villarosa to amend the city ordinance’s schedule for the highlights of the MassKara Festival, which are currently held every fourth Sunday of October, will have to be studied.
Villarosa has suggested the need to reschedule these highlights to the third week of October in hopes of avoiding the rainy season.
“Let’s wait for the City Council’s decision. But if moving the dates helps us avoid bad weather during major events, I’m in favor,” the mayor said.
He said a Sangguniang Panlungsod special session will be held Monday for the proposed partial road closures for the extended festival. It will start from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., he said.*