BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia confirmed Monday that they have invited President Rodrigo Duterte to be the special guest during the opening of the 37th MassKara Festival on October 1 at the public plaza.
Leonardia said they are also talking to top officials who can possibly facilitate the attendance of Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, and Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Clint Aranas.
He added that he is hopeful Duterte could attend the festival opening since the President’s party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) will also have an activity in Bacolod on the same day.
“So, we have a big chance of having them during the opening of MassKara Festival,” Leonardia said.
If Duterte will accept the invitation, Leonardia said the City Government is willing to adjust to his schedule and the opening ceremony of the festival can be anytime on October 1.
If the President will not be around, the opening of MassKara Festival is still 6 p.m. at the public plaza, he said.
Leonardia has assigned Councilor Em Ang, chair of committee on tourism, as the action officer of the 37th MassKara Festival.
Ang, along with the Silver MassKara Festival Organization Inc., will work together to ensure the absolute success of the festival, the mayor said.
The 37th MassKara Festival will be held from October 1 to 23, the longest celebration so far.
Ang said she is thankful to the mayor for the trust in appointing her as festival action officer.
She added that she will work hand-in-hand with the Silver MassKara Organization and the department heads to make sure that the staging of this year’s festival will be the grandest ever.
Organizers have identified three festival sites – the Bacolod Public Plaza, the Bacolod City Government Center, and the Tourism Strip on Lacson Street.
On October 1, the festival will open for the carnival site and kiosks at the public plaza and the beer garden from San Juan Street, Gonzaga Street, and Gatuslao Street.
Leonardia also directed Senior Superintendent Flynn Dongbo, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office, to intensify security measures to maintain the peace and order in the city.
“We are finalizing a scheme to ensure that all revelers at the festival sites will be inspected. Security is our top priority,” he said.
The mayor added that they will also regulate the parking areas near the festival sites to avoid untoward incidents.
