BACOLOD City – The city government is planning to institutionalize the Bacolod Water Sports Festival after a successful opening on Friday, March 15, at the Bacolod Baywalk Recreational Park in the reclamation area.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on tourism proposes to make it an annual event.
“Himo-on naton as a yearly event ang Water Sports Festival. As we can see during the opening, very successful guid,” Councilor Jason Villarosa, committee chair, said.
Villarosa noted that some participants were from other parts of the country and even Malaysia.
The two-month event will end on April 28.
The councilor said the festival organizer, Almana Group of Companies, told him that they wanted to hold the event twice a year—during the summer and the MassKara Festival.
But the city is still contemplating whether this will be possible since the expenses are shouldered by the private firm.
Villarosa said the city, through Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, is supportive of the event because it improves the city’s economy through tourism.
Maria Teresa Manalili, City Tourism head, said the Bacolod City Tourism Office and the city government stand as pillars of support.
She added that they strive for an enabling government for tourism stakeholders, ensuring seamless coordination, and promoting Bacolod as a tourism destination.
“Your presence fuels our mission to attract more tourists to Bacolod,” Manalili told participants and attendees during the sporting event’s opening ceremony.
Watersports inject vitality into local economies by generating revenue streams across various sectors, Manalili cited.
She added that this serves as a magnet for tourism development, drawing attention to previously undiscovered gems and revitalizing coastal destinations.
“Furthermore, watersports activities promote environmental stewardship and conservation efforts, inspiring communities to preserve and protect their natural resources. Through initiatives such as beach clean-ups, marine conservation projects, and sustainable tourism practices, watersports enthusiasts become ambassadors for environmental awareness, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy our oceans and waterways,” she claimed./PN
