The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) implemented the full road closure of a portion of Lacson Street starting 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, which will last until 5 a.m. Monday, October 28.
The early ingress is to allow the installation of stages, booths, and kiosks for the upcoming Food and Music Festival at the Lacson Tourism Strip from October 25 to 27, BTAO Deputy Jose Antonio Robello said.
Organizers will mount six stages for performers, including the band Cueshe and other national entertainers and personalities, a press release from the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation said.
The temporary road closure will stretch from the intersection of BS Aquino Drive and Lacson Street to the intersection of South Capitol Road.
All vehicles traveling northbound are advised to use Gatuslao Street, while those heading southbound will need to pass along Aguinaldo Street, the press release said.
A one-way traffic scheme will be implemented on both Gatuslao and Aguinaldo streets.
“Huge stages will span along Lacson Strip, which is why we have to implement a full road closure for safety reasons,” Robello said.
Motorists can detour along BS Aquino Drive and San Juan Street, he said.
There will also be a full road closure from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Circumferential Road from The Upper East Avenue (Megaworld) to St. Francis Street for the Elektroika Diva and Float Parade, BYF also announced.
The parade is set to assemble from The Upper East Avenue and proceed to the Bacolod City Government Center.
Partial road closure of The Upper East Avenue is set for October 23 to 27 for the MassKara Festival Food Fest.
With the impending heavy traffic for the remaining highlights of the MassKara Festival, the Department of Public Works and Highways, in cooperation with BTAO, has designated the Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) as a detour for all motorists, especially for cargo and cane trucks, the press release said.
“We have to provide options for haulers because there must be an ordinance for using BANOCEH. As of now, it’s just a suggestion, an option because of the festivities, but we can’t fully implement the truck ban along Circumferential Road yet, pending approval by the city council,” Robello added.
For the 45th Smilestone MassKara Festival 2024 Street Dance and Arena Competition on Sunday, October 27, a full road closure will be implemented starting from the BCGC replica beside Bacolod Public Plaza on Araneta Street up to the Paglaum Sports Complex on Hernaez Street from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., the press release added.
The Bacolod Yuhum Foundation, in cooperation with the Bacolod City Police Office, will strictly prohibit sharp objects and tumblers inside the sports complex.
No persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, pregnant women, or children below 10 years old will be allowed to enter the arena. Admission is free but on a first-come, first-served basis, the BYF said.*