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BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – President Rodrigo Duterte has been invited to the opening of the 37th MassKara Festival on Oct. 1.
The city government is also inviting Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Bureau of Internal Revenue deputy commissioner Jesus Clint Aranas, among other top officials.
“We hope they could make it,” Mayor Evelio Leonardia said yesterday.
“They will have another activity here, so we have a good chance of having them at the opening ceremony,” he said.
New members of the President’s party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan, in Negros Occidental will take their oath on Oct. 1.
The oath-taking was originally set on Sept. 17, but Alvarez — who could not be around at the time — asked to reschedule because he wanted to personally swear in his friend, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.
Leonardia said they are asking help from officials who could facilitate the attendance of Duterte and the others.
The opening of the world-renowned festival may be held any time of the day on Oct. 1 as long as Duterte is around, he said.
“But if the President cannot make it,” said the mayor, “we will have [the opening] at 6 p.m. as scheduled.”
Meanwhile, Leonardia designated Councilor Em Ang as “festival action officer.”
The Silver MassKara Festival Organization, a private entity, will run the festival but Ang will serve as the city government’s voice.
City hall wants to ensure “synergy” among festival activities and resources, Leonardia said.
Ang is also the chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on tourism.
“MassKara is a commitment, a mission of Bacolod,” said the mayor. “Ang will ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.”
Ang vowed to help make sure all the festival events and activities “go on as scheduled” and are “well-coordinated.”
She will work hand in hand with the SMFO and the department heads, who were also given assignments.
“The city government will have a more active role” in this year’s festival, said the councilor.
The MassKara Festival will be held until Oct. 23.
Its highlight is the street dancing competition. The school category was scheduled on Oct. 22, while the barangay category will be held the following day.
The MassKara Queen pageant night will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the University of Saint La Salle coliseum.
It is organized by the Association of Colleges and Universities of Negros Occidental./PN
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