By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez announced that the MassKara Festival will be extended at three festival sites to give kiosk vendors a chance to recover losses from the week-long rains caused by Tropical Storm Kristine.
Benitez said in an interview over the weekend that he is personally donating PHP 2.5 million, which will be converted into food vouchers for the public to purchase meals from kiosk vendors.
“Through the initiative of Councilor Celia Flor and Councilor Jason Villarosa, chair of the Committee on Tourism, we’ve decided to extend the MassKara Festival until October 31,” Benitez said.
He explained that many activities were disrupted by the typhoon, preventing people from going out to participate in or enjoy the festival.
“This extension aims to help our food tenants and kiosk vendors recover from the losses caused by the typhoon,” he added.
Benitez noted that instead of organizing more concerts or events, distributing food vouchers will ensure that sales go directly to the kiosks.
“Sometimes, during concerts, people just come to watch without buying food. By distributing vouchers, we can guarantee sales for the kiosks,” he said.
He added that councilors would oversee the distribution of food vouchers.
Initially, Benitez planned to donate PHP 2 million, but after computing the costs, he increased his donation to PHP 2.5 million.
“The distribution will be as widespread as possible, and the councilors will make sure it reaches everyone,” he said.
The Lacson Street Festival site will close as scheduled on Sunday to avoid disrupting major thoroughfares.
Three festival sites—BCGC, the plaza, and Upper East—will be extended, with partial road closures proposed from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Despite the rains, Benitez said he was pleased with the turnout of the 17-day festivities.
“People still came out, and we’ve seen record-breaking crowds, especially during the opening weekend,” he said.
He also mentioned that peace and order were maintained, with no major crimes reported during the festival.
In a message to vendors, Benitez acknowledged that the typhoon was beyond their control but reassured them that the city is doing its best to support them.
“We’re distributing food vouchers to ensure that our vendors earn during this extended festival period,” he said.
