• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod City Government has started to distribute about 12,500 food vouchers yesterday to aid kiosk tenants in Bacolod City whose sales were affected by the recent Typhoon Kristine.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez recently pledged to donate P2.5 million in food vouchers, as well as announced the extension of the MassKara Festival until October 31 to help kiosk tenants recover from their financial losses.
The food vouchers can be redeemed by beneficiaries from the different kiosks at the Bacolod Public Plaza, the Bacolod City Government Center, and The Upper East, he said.
Benitez said that 90 percent of the food vouchers have been distributed to the city councilors, and some at the City Mayor’s Office. Each food voucher is worth P200, and has security features.
This is designed to help out kiosk owners who were not able to recover because of the inclement weather during the MassKara Festival, he said.
“In light of the recent typhoon during the MassKara weeks, we understand that many vendors faced low-sales or no sales at all,” Bacolod City Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili said.
The City Tourism Office fully supports the Mayor’s extension of vendors’ kiosks-selling to give them every opportunity to recover and generate income, she said.
MassKara embodies resilience and unity, and we stand behind this spirit with our support, ensuring that no one is left behind. We encourage everyone to uphold the essence of tourism by maintaining orderliness, cleanliness, and sustainability in their respective kiosk-areas, creating a positive environment for all, Manalili added.
Meanwhile, some of the kiosk tenants have ceased operations, while some have continued until today.
May Ann Quirante of ‘Tinuhog Barbeque Grill’ at the Bacolod City Public Plaza decided to close yesterday since she has incurred huge losses already.
Quirante said continuing operations will only increase her losses because the weather is unpredictable. She has rented three kiosks worth P25,000 each. The rate for rental last year was only P17,000 per kiosk.
On the other hand, the owner of ‘Diana Aczia Luke’ decided to continue their operations until today, hoping that they will be able to generate income through the food vouchers.*