• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has turned down the request of Gugma Foundation to begin early ingress at the Lacson Tourism Strip, to minimize disruption for commuters, motorists, and local businesses.
The festival organizer requested to start the setting up of 184 kiosks, booths, and other temporary structures from 3rd to 22nd Lacson Street as early as Oct. 12, in line with MassKara Festival highlight events.
Councilor Celia Matea Flor said the SP voted to delay the ingress date to Oct. 14, starting at 9 p.m.
“This is to avoid affecting the traffic, because last year, their ingress and egress caused heavy traffic. So, what the council approved was for them to do it on Wednesday evening, since the event isn’t until Friday anyway; they should be able to manage it,” Flor said.
She noted that if they set up early, commuters and business owners will complain right away.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson also said the early ingress is a major inconvenience to commuters and businesses. | TMD
