BACOLOD City — The city government began releasing on October 13 the P13.6 million in financial assistance for participating barangays and schools in the 2026 MassKara Festival street dance and arena and Electric MassKara competitions.
Councilor Jason Villarosa, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Committee on Tourism, said the subsidies would help cover the preparation and production expenses of contingents competing in the festival’s major events.
Approved through an SP resolution, the allocation covers eight barangay contingents and 11 school contingents competing in the street dance and arena competition, as well as seven barangays participating in the Electric MassKara competition.
Of the total allocation, P6 million was earmarked for the barangay category of the street dance and arena competition. Each of the eight participating barangays — Barangays 6, 10, 13, Bata, Alangilan, Handumanan, Mandalagan and Taculing — will receive P750,000.
Another P5.5 million was allocated for the school category, with each of the 11 participating schools receiving P500,000.
The schools are Education and Training Center School I, Montevista Elementary School, Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School, Mandalagan Elementary School, Handumanan Elementary School, Sum-ag Elementary School, Vista Alegre Elementary School, Abkasa National High School, Progreso Village National High School, Bacolod City National High School and Jovito H. Sayson National High School.
Meanwhile, P2.1 million was allocated for the Electric MassKara competition, with each of the seven participating barangays receiving P300,000.
These are Barangays 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, Villamonte and Tangub.
The Electric MassKara competition is scheduled for October 16, with contingents set to parade from Upper East Megaworld to the Bacolod City Government Center for their performances.
The school category of the street dance and arena competition will follow on October 17. School contingents will perform along designated streets before proceeding to the Reclamation Area for the arena competition.
The barangay category is scheduled for October 18, with contingents likewise parading along designated streets before competing at the Reclamation Area.
Villarosa said the financial assistance was intended to help participating contingents meet the costs of costumes, props, choreography and other production requirements.
The subsidies form part of Mayor Greg Gasataya’s administration’s support for barangays and schools participating in one of Bacolod’s biggest annual festivals.
The city government also encouraged residents and visitors to support the competing contingents as they showcase Bacolod’s cultural identity, creativity and community spirit through the MassKara Festival./PN
