BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez confirmed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio will visit the city during the MassKara Festival.
According to Benitez, Marcos is going to be joined by First Lady Louise Araneta.
“The Vice President actually reminded us yesterday nga she’s scheduled to go to our MassKara Festival,” Benitez said.
The mayor said it is still unclear when exactly the two will visit although both will probably be during the opening on Oct. 1, or during the festival’s highlights.
This year’s MassKara Festival is being planned to be grand following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During the 2016, 2017 and 2018 MassKara Festival, then President Rodrigo Duterte visited Bacolod City and joined in the festivities.
With limited funds from the city government, Benitez has tapped corporate sponsors to support the staging of this year’s festivity.
“As of now (we need) tens of millions. With the plans that we have, it will probably be one of the most expensive MassKara festivals. I’ve been calling some of our friends in the corporate world who can help. So far, we have received positive responses,” he added.
Health and safety protocols are part of the considerations in the return of the MassKara Festival
“We just want to make sure that everybody is prepared, that everybody is educated on how to treat and protect themselves,” said Benitez./PN
