BACOLOD City — The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod has institutionalized the submission of post-festival reports by the Bacolod City Tourism Office to strengthen legislation and improve the management of future festivals.
The move came after the city council approved a resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang, chairperson of the SP Committee on Culture and Arts, during its regular session on Wednesday.
The resolution requires the Tourism Office to submit a comprehensive report within 60 days after every festival held in the city.
The measure recognizes the significant role of festivals in promoting Bacolod’s tourism industry and stimulating the local economy.
It also highlights the importance of data-driven governance, noting that post-event evaluations can provide a basis for crafting new ordinances, refining existing policies, and guiding legislative decisions.
Ang said the reports are intended to assess the overall effectiveness of festivals, including financial management, economic impact, cultural significance, and public safety measures.
The resolution likewise emphasizes the need to review safety protocols implemented during festivals, such as crowd control, emergency preparedness, and response systems, to help city officials develop stronger security and public safety policies for future events.
“Festival reports act as a roadmap for developing or amending ordinances and making informed legislative decisions,” Ang said.
Under the resolution, the Tourism Office will regularly provide the city council with relevant data and analysis on the economic and cultural impacts of festivals celebrated in Bacolod.
Among the city’s major annual festivals are the Bacolaodiat Festival, held during the Chinese New Year; the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival in May; and the MassKara Festival, the city’s most prominent celebration held every October./PN
