• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The new venue for the MassKara Festival arena dance competition front of SM City Bacolod can accommodate an estimated 5,000 seated spectators, the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. said Sept. 18.
Atty. Hannah Lea Tañoso-Dela Torre, board director, corporate secretary, and legal affairs head of the Foundation, said that 20 bleachers will be installed at the site. Each can seat 250 individuals.
She noted that the SM Bacolod site is the sole venue choice for the arena dance competition, and stressed that they expect minimal to no flooding in the area.
Dela Torre confirmed ongoing coordination with SM personnel to monitor ground conditions.
Rodolfo Jamora Jr., deputy for operations of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said that even during heavy rains, the water will drain rapidly as long as the floodgate leading directly to the sea remains open, resulting in brief surface runoff that clears within a few minutes.
To accommodate additional spectators beyond the physical seating limit, inter-agency head Rica Latergo said during a press conference Sept. 18 that free public viewing sites will be set up at key locations, including the public plaza, the Bacolod City Government Center, and SM City Bacolod. | TMD
