BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Tourism is in favor of the proposal of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to grant the MassKara Festival organizer early authority after incurring another loss of income.
Councilor Jason Villarosa disclosed that the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation (BYF), during this year’s MassKara, experienced a seven-digit deficit. In 2022, the BYF had an eight-digit loss, the councilor added.
Villarosa said Benitez, during a meeting with the members of the city council, proposed to allow BYF to start transacting for sponsorship as early as January.
The city council granted BYF the authority for the 2023 edition of the festival in August, and “two months were not enough to find a sponsorship.”
Benitez said, “It is not enough time to solicit sponsorship. So as early as January, it should be passed in the council so that they have more time to work on it,”
With ample time, the organizer may also look for national sponsors and conduct roadshows to attract international sponsors, Villarosa pointed out.
“I am in favor of giving them early authority,” he said.
Although the organizer had no income, Villarosa explained that what was important was that the MassKara went smoothly with no limitations or downgrades, given the quality of the performances and events.
“I think it’s a win-win situation despite the losses,” Villarosa said./PN
