BACOLOD City – This city will investigate the alleged overpriced sale of chicken inasal (grilled chicken) amid the MassKara festivities.
The city government’s QR code platform, “Isugid kay Mayor,” received several complaints concerning the P180 per piece worth of chicken inasal, particularly at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said prices should not be too far from last year’s P120 to P135 per piece.
He added that the festival organizers even reduced the rent for the kiosks.
Benitez said that although the contract had no provision regarding inasal prices, the city would look into it.
“By next year, we must incorporate the price ceiling into the contract,” Benitez stressed to balance business and affordability for festival-goers.
Von Maungca, team leader for promotions, marketing, sponsorships and interagency of the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation, said they were also into it.
He added that festival site supervisors will arrange a meeting with the tenants for an explanation and to negotiate the prices of their products.
The city council declared the famous chicken inasal a cultural property last year.
Although a staple in food stalls across MassKara festival sites, the dish is highlighted most every fourth week of May with its own Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival following the amendment of City Ordinance No. 482, Series of 2009, known as the Manokan Country Inasal Festival./PN
