Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya announced on Monday, July 7, that a new group will spearhead the staging of the MassKara Festival in October this year.
This new organizing body, whose members will be named in an upcoming executive order, will not be from the Yuhum Foundation that handled previous MassKara Festivals, he said at a press conference.
“We have asked some persons from Bacolod to handle the MassKara Festival 2025” who have a good understanding of the city’s culture, he said.
The festival’s opening is set for October 1, with highlights on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Gasataya emphasized that this year’s festival will see increased participation from Bacolodnons, featuring more activities and programs to showcase their talents and skills.
Gasataya also announced accelerated preparations for the festival, focusing on infrastructure improvements and community engagement.
The mayor said he has requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fast-track the ongoing drainage improvement project at the city plaza after past events saw kiosks submerged in flood water.
“We’ve requested the DPWH to expedite the construction of a new drainage system to prevent future problems,” the mayor said.
“We want to ensure that the plaza will be fully functional and ready for upcoming activities during MassKara,” he added.
While the final venue for the festival’s major events is still being finalized, Gastaya confirmed that the Bacolod Public Plaza will host more activities and programs.
This is part of the city’s effort to bring the plaza back to life, he said.
Preparations for MassKara Festival 2025 have been underway since May, he said.
The MassKara Coliseum in Brgy Alijis will not be ready in time for the festival, Gastaya said. Its construction is about 72 percent complete, with a commitment for the coliseum to be finished by December 2025, he said.*