• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Lacson Tourism Strip, from corner BS Aquino Drive to South Capitol Road, is closed to vehicular traffic until 5 a.m. of Oct. 28, Jose Antonio Robello, deputy officer-in-charge of the newly-created Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD) said Oct. 22.
Robello said the closure started 8 o’clock last night to give way to the setting up of structures, like stages, booths, and kiosks in the runup to Lacson MassKara’s Kingdom, and Food and Music Festival, from Oct. 25-27.
Organizers will mount six stages for performers, including the band Cueshé and other national entertainers and personalities, the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation (BYF) said.
“Huge stages will span along Lacson Strip, which is why we have to implement a full road closure for safety reasons,” Robello said. “Consider using alternative routes to bypass the closure, and allow extra time for your commute to avoid delays.”
All vehicles, including public utility vehicles traveling northbound, are advised to use Gatuslao Street, while those heading southbound will need to pass along Aguinaldo Street.
A one-way traffic scheme will be implemented along Gatuslao and Aguinaldo streets, the BYF said, adding that motorists can detour along BS Aquino Drive and San Juan Street.
The BYF also said that full road closure, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 26, will be implemented along Circumferential Road, from Megaworld’s The Upper East Avenue to St. Francis Street fronting the Bacolod Government Center (BGC), for the Elektroika Diva and float parade.
Parade participants will assemble from The Upper East Avenue all the way to the BGC grounds, it added.
A partial road closure of The Upper East Avenue is also set from Oct. 23 to 27 for the MassKara Festival foodfest.
With the expected heavy traffic this highlight week of the MassKara Festival, the Department of Public Works and Highways, in cooperation with the BTTMD (formerly Bacolod Traffic Authority Office), has designated the Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) as a detour for all motorists, especially for cargo and cane trucks, the BYF said.
“We have to provide options for haulers because there must be an ordinance for using BANOCEH. As of now, it’s just a suggestion, an option because of the festivities, but we can’t fully implement the truck ban along Circumferential Road yet, pending approval by the Sangguniang Panlungsod,” Robello said in the BYF press release.
For the much-awaited street and arena dance competition on Oct. 27, a full road closure will be implemented, starting from the BGC replica at the public plaza up to the Paglaum Sports Complex, from 2-5 p.m.
The BYF stressed that sharp objects and tumblers are banned inside the sports complex. “No persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women, or children below 10 years old will be allowed to enter the arena. Admission is free, but on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Mayor Alfredo Benitez, in Executive Order 054, also said that pointed barbeque sticks and other bladed weapons, as well as backpacks, are not allowed inside MassKara Festival sites.
Selling and drinking of liquors in festival sites will only be allowed until 3 a.m., and selling of liquors to persons below 18 years of age is strictly prohibited, the EO said.
A gun ban is also in effect in Bacolod City until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27. | CGC
