BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the three-week MassKara Festival kicks off today, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez yesterday said he expects businesses to earn about P5 billion during the festival that anticipates approximately 200,000 visitors.
With the very positive reaction of the people, Benitez said Filipino communities abroad and in other areas of the country, especially Manila, are expressing interest and excitement over the MassKara Festival.
With regards to hotel bookings, he said the last week of October is already fully booked, with the first and second weeks of the month 80 to 90 percent occupied, and Airbnbs now being tapped for accommodations.
We are expecting about P5 billion to enter the system because of this event, Benitez also said.
Additional flights to Bacolod for MassKara have also been granted, he added
A grand MassKara countdown kicked off last night at the Bacolod City Government Center.
“Prepare for the best ever MassKara” was the message of Benitez to Bacolodnons, after two years of COVID-19 pandemic.
As for health protocols, the mayor said, it will be the same for the province of Negros Occidental. MassKara revelers are still being enjoined to wear masks and observe minimum health protocols in crowded and enclosed areas.
Expected to attend the highlights of MassKara Festival are President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and members of his family, Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri and Speaker Martin Romualdez, among others.
Benitez said they will be arriving on different dates.
The Panaad Sa MassKara, a contribution of the provincial government of Negros Occidental to the annual festivity of Bacolod City, will also start from October 10. It will showcase the different products and tourist destinations of 32 local government units.*
