BACOLOD City – Despite the adverse weather conditions brought on by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the festivities for the 45th MassKara Festival here will press on.
The festival, which started on October 11, will proceed with its key events scheduled for the final two days, October 26 (Saturday) and 27 (Sunday).
Since the evening of October 20, the city has been grappling with rough weather, impacting vendors, performances, and festival-goers alike.
However, Councilor Jason Villarosa, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Tourism, confirmed that the celebrations, including the electric float parade and the Elektroika Diva competition slated for October 26, and the street dance and arena competition set for October 27, will go on as planned.
Villarosa noted that coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) indicates only a slight chance of rain this Saturday and an even smaller probability on Sunday during the events.
He emphasized the readiness of the participating barangays and stated that the events would only be canceled if poor weather conditions escalate to Signal No. 2. According to the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday afternoon, Kristine was expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in Friday night (October 25), though parts of the country would still have moderate to heavy rain and tropical cyclone wind signals.
Villarosa said the electric float parade will commence at 6 p.m. this Saturday from The Upper East – Megaworld, moving towards the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), with 10 barangays competing. These are barangays 19, 5, 17, 39, 29, 10, Pahanocoy, 8, 36, and 11.
Sunday’s arena and street dance competition will start from Araneta Street, in front of Bacolod City Public Plaza, and proceed to the Paglaum Sports Complex. Participants include barangays Granada, 21, 35, 6, 12, Bata, and 18.
Councilor Villarosa urged attendees to come prepared with rain protection such as umbrellas and raincoats to ensure safety while enjoying the festivities.
The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) will implement a full road closure from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Saturday on Circumferential Road from The Upper East Avenue to St. Francis Street for the Elektroika Diva and Float Parade.
Additional road closures are expected during the street dance and arena competition on October 27, from the BCGC replica beside Bacolod Public Plaza on Araneta Street to the Paglaum Sports Complex on Hernaez Street from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
With heavy traffic anticipated, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in collaboration with BTAO, has designated the Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) as a detour route, particularly for cargo and cane trucks.
Admission to the festival is free, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Bacolod Yuhum Foundation, in cooperation with the Bacolod City Police Office, will enforce strict security measures, prohibiting sharp objects and tumblers within the sports complex and restricting access to persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women, and children below 10 years./PN
