Mayor hopeful to avoid MassKara Festival cost overruns

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez expressed confidence that he won’t need to personally cover the MassKara festival’s expenses this year.

The event will be organized once again by the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation Incorporated (BYFI).

“I am always optimistic,” Mayor Benitez said during a Monday morning press conference.

He acknowledged the past necessity for additional funding, explaining that it was due to specific events he wanted to be included to guarantee the festival’s success.

“Kanugon kon indi paghimo-on, because we are after that the MassKara festival will be one of the best,” he emphasized.

The mayor admitted there are elements essential to the festival’s appeal that may require additional spending.

“As much as we would like to limit our budget and expenses, there are certain things nga kinahanglan ta gid gastohan para magustohan sang tawo kag magtahum ang aton MassKara festival,” he explained.

He reflected on the previous year, mentioning events he personally insisted on including. “That is why gintabunan ko,” he said.

For MassKara 2024, Benitez shared that BYFI plans to partner with TV-5 to broadcast the festival’s events.

“They (BYFI) have agreed for a TV channel to cover all the events in this year’s MassKara festival,” he stated, highlighting the potential for national and international exposure.

He hopes this wider coverage will attract more sponsors for the festival, enhancing revenue streams. “This is our way of getting more revenues, more sponsors,” Benitez said.

Last year, the mayor contributed P10 million of his own funds to the festival as BYFI’s report showed an P80 million expenditure against P70 million raised, resulting in a small “profit” after his donation.

In 2022, the first year BYFI managed the festival, Benitez covered an even larger shortfall exceeding P30 million.

Despite the financial challenges, Mayor Benitez emphasized that the joy of the people and the economic boost the festival brings to the city are what truly matter.