• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Third time’s a charm?
The Bacolod Yuhum Foundation (BYF) will continue to be the overall organizer of the city’s MassKara Festival this October, despite reported shortfalls of about P6 million and P10 million, respectively, in the last two consecutive years.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod ratified March 14 the memorandum of agreement between Bacolod and BYF for the staging of the 45th MassKara Festival from Oct. 1 to 27 this year, culminating with the highlights on the 4th Sunday of that month, and including promotions and advertisements in the lead up to the start of the Festival by August.
Mayor Alfredo Benitez had said that the early preparations and promotions for the city’s main festival could result in more sponsors.
In 2022, preparations started almost a month before the 43rd MassKara Festival staging after the SP authorized Benitez to sign the MOA with BYF Sept. 21. Last year, the MOA was ratified by the sanggunian Aug. 23.
Benitez had admitted personally paying for the shortfall and other expenses.
Under the MOA, source of funds for the festival shall be taken from sponsors that the BYF may obtain. “The city may augment funding…subject to applicable provisions of law. All funds for the festival shall be duly accounted and any government funds must be duly accounted and liquidated, with any unused public funds returned or refunded…”
“Any revenue generated, including in pre-festival activities implemented by the BYF should be accounted for, with 60 percent of the net profits, after deduction of fees and taxes imposed on the Festival, shall go to the Foundation with the remaining revenue going to the City,” the MOA added.
The city shall review and approve the activities, including the festival plan and budget proposed by the BYF, and may modify these, taking into consideration the theme and needs of Bacolod. It shall also monitor and inspect and verify the financial records and reports of the Foundation. | CGC
