MassKara celebration peaceful, mayor says

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said that the celebration of the MassKara festival that started October 1, 2022 and gearing towards the highlight this weekend has been peaceful so far.

“There are no untoward incidents reported, it has been peaceful so far,” Benitez said during the Media Night, Tuesday evening, a tradition held every MassKara festival by the Negros Press club and festival organizers.

He also said that sales of various business firms have reached pre-pandemic levels during this MassKara celebration period.

The mayor also noted the “high increase in business  confidence in the city which is a sign of things to come.”

He cited the SM Group which reported to him that their hotel, supermarket, department store and mall sales have reached pre-pandemic levels and have even surpassed their Iloilo counterpart.

The mayor also said that before the elections, people are talking about how Iloilo has grown.

“And I said give me three years and we will surpass the achievement,” he said adding that “it has been three months and Bacolod is getting there.”

Benitez further said that the city government is already planning activities for December to ensure the continuous engagement of the different business establishments in the city.

“Hopefully, this will continue in the years to come,” the mayor added.

He also said that this year’s MassKara festival celebration, the first being held after the pandemic, has not fallen short of the people’s expectations.

For one, there are seven festival sites so the people can choose where to go and will not flock to certain areas.

“We did more,” Benitez said.

He also thanked Victorias Milling Company represented by its President and CEO Minnie Chua, chief administrative officer Atty. Eva Rodriguez, and Corporate Communications Officer Anne Tiongco for sponsoring the Media Night.

Also present were lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya, Councilors Celia Flor, Al Victor Espino, Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, 3rd District Rep. Francisco Benitez, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas and City Public Information Officer Carmela Arcolas-Gamboa.

LGU PAVILIONS

The provincial government of Negros Occidental is looking into the possibility of opening the pavilions of local government units at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on a “regular basis”, following the successful MassKara sa Panaad from Oct. 10 to 16.

This was the first time that the provincial government of Negros Occidental was invited by the city government of Bacolod to join the MassKara Festival celebration.

Stressing that they were happy to be part of the MassKara celebration, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the MassKara sa Panaad gives LGUs a picture of “readiness” for the main event, which is the Panaad sa Negros Festival in April next year.

“LGUs are bent on renovating their pavilions and they are excited for the Panaad next year,” said Lacson, who gave the 31 LGUs P100,000 each for the renovation of their pavilions for the MassKara sa Panaad event.

He said the idea of having Panaad on a regular basis, either on weekends or once a month, is now being looked into.

“If we will do that, maybe we will start once a month. Then let’s test the waters, as they say,” Lacson said.

From Oct. 10 to 16, the 31 LGUs of Negros Occidental opened their respective booths and pavilions to showcase their products, cuisines, and travel destinations.