• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The decision to relocate the venue of this year’s MassKara Festival arena dance competition, from the Paglaum sports complex to front of SM City Bacolod, underwent careful and comprehensive evaluation by the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., Mayor Greg Gasataya said.
He clarified that the festival organizer spent considerable time preparing for the festivities and would not recommend a venue that poses safety risks to the public.
Gugma opted against holding this year’s arena dance competition at Paglaum due to safety concerns over structural integrity and the potential risk of collapse under heavy crowd weight.
“If you really force (to hold it at) Paglaum, who will be held responsible, them (critics)? Definitely the city. So, it’s more of choosing a venue where the lives of the spectators will not be compromised,” Gasataya said.
The Bacolod plaza, meanwhile, cannot safely accommodate the large volume of expected spectators.
Festival director Rodney Mitz Ascalon said Sept. 15 that the SM management assured them that there is no longer a flooding issue in the area as long as the spillway remains open.
Ascalon added that the City Engineer’s Office also assured them that a standby water pump is ready to quickly drain the water, in case it rains during the festival highlights.
Various social media posts criticized the holding of the contest in front of SM, noting that the area is prone to flooding.
The dance contest school category will be held on Oct. 17, featuring seven elementary schools and four high schools, while the barangay category on Oct.18 will have eight competing barangays.
The street dance competition will be along Araneta Street, while the awarding ceremony will still be held at the plaza. | TMD
