BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The city government of Bacolod asked the provincial government of Negros Occidental if it could use the Panaad Park and Sports Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan for the MassKara Festival in October.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said he had a meeting with Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez on Thursday to discuss a possible festival collaboration.
The provincial government is also studying the possible use of the stadium, including the local government unit (LGU) booths, as an expo venue during the festivities.
Benitez also wrote Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson asking about the Panaad Park’s availability for MassKara festivities from Oct. 1 to 22.
After receiving the letter, Diaz said the governor ordered the ongoing renovation works at the Panaad Park to be hastened.
Victorias City’s Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez, who leads the Association of Chief Executives in Negros Occidental, has also committed to join the festivities, pointing out that some mayors in the province also missed holding the Panaad Festival.
“There will also be events there during the MassKara. Our tourism officers and mayors in the province are looking forward to the opening of the Panaad Stadium and their respective booths there,” Diaz added.
If the plans will push through, it will be the first time that the MassKara Festival will be held at the Panaad Park and Stadium, and it will become third main venue after the Bacolod City Public Plaza and the Lacson Tourism Strip./PN