- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod approved on first reading this afternoon, Oct. 19, the proposed ordinance of Councilor Jason Villarosa, who is pushing for a MassKara Festival in Panaad Park every second week of this month.
“The initiative to fix a yearly celebration in the Panaad Park…shall pave the way for a collective participation of the cities and towns of Negros Occidental which will ultimately redound to the benefit of each local government unit in the promotion of their tourism, craftsmanship, creativity, talents, products, and services,” Villarosa, chairperson of the SP Committee on Tourism, said.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental and its 31 LGUs participated for the first time this year in the world-renowned festival, through the MassKara sa Panaad, held from Oct. 10 to 16, at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who gave the 31 LGUs P100,000 in subsidy each for the renovation of their pavilions for the MassKara sa Panaad, earlier said the weeklong event gave LGUs a picture of “readiness” for the main event, which is the Panaad sa Negros Festival in April next year.
Villarosa said that his proposal aims “to share the celebration of the MassKara Festival to the whole of Negros Occidental in the Panaad Park and Stadium,” that is owned by the province.
It shall serve as a venue for investors and small business owners to sell their locally-made products; and as a stepping stone to develop free and mutual dialogues between LGUs to renew, create, and improve relationships for the adoption of best practices among neighboring cities and towns of the province, the neophyte councilor added.
He proposed that the MassKara in Panaad implementation, monitoring, and maintenance, with initial funding of P500,000, shall be undertaken by the City Tourism Office, Public Order Service Office, General Services Office, City Planning and Development, the Business Permits and Licensing, SP Committee on Tourism, and the Negros Occidental Tourism Division./CGC
