By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, said he once again used personal funds to cover expenses for this year’s MassKara Festival, which drew a record-breaking crowd compared to previous years.
During a press conference at his office Tuesday, Benitez noted, “It seems I have to cover festival expenses every year already.”
Benitez emphasized that his priority is the enjoyment of the people, stating, “What is important is the people are happy.”
This marks the third year Benitez has personally covered festival expenses for the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation (BYF), the organization managing the event since he became mayor in 2022. The BYF has been given 60 days to submit a financial report.
Benitez said his contribution this year exceeded the PHP 20 million he provided last year.
Despite his personal expenses, he highlighted that the city’s income exceeded PHP 3 billion, generated through hotel stays, restaurant visits, and other activities by festival visitors, surpassing last year’s revenue.
“If you look at all the hotels, restaurants, and the visitors who came here, their economic contribution runs into the billions. We’ve recorded figures that exceeded last year’s PHP 3 billion,” he said.
Benitez expressed satisfaction with the nearly three-week celebration, noting a record-breaking crowd.
The largest attendance was recorded at 160,000 on the festival’s opening weekend, and while Benitez was absent for the finale, he was among the 540,000 online viewers of the MassKara Street Dance and Arena Competition.
“We’re happy with the success of the 2024 MassKara Festival. It ended with a bang, and with the weather cooperating, we completed our events without any reported incidents,” Benitez said.
Bacolod City Police Office Chief P/Col. Joeresty Coronica, present at the conference, confirmed that no major incidents occurred during the nearly three-week festivities. He mentioned a suicide incident but clarified it was unrelated to the festival.
To support kiosk renters impacted by Tropical Storm Katherine’s inclement weather, Benitez implemented a food voucher program. The city issued 12,500 vouchers worth PHP 200 each, totaling PHP 2.5 million, funded by Benitez personally.
City councilors and BYF distributed the vouchers, which recipients can use to purchase food at festival kiosks. Renters can then redeem these vouchers for cash at the BYF.
“This is to help the kiosk renters who incurred losses due to the rain,” Benitez said.
Earlier, Benitez announced the extension of festival sites at Bacolod Public Plaza, BCGC, and the Upper East until October 31, giving kiosk renters more time to recover their expenses, particularly at the public plaza.
