BACOLOD City – The city government will conduct a verification of the around 12,500 food vouchers it distributed to aid food kiosks tenants in three festival sites whose sales were affected by Tropical Storm Kristine during the MassKara Festival 2024 celebration.
To recall, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez extended the operation of food kiosks at the Bacolod Public Plaza, Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), and Megaworld’s The Upper East until October 31.
The city mayor allocated P2.5 million worth of food vouchers from his personal fund. Each voucher is limited to P200 worth of food.
Mae Cuaycong, special assistant to the city mayor, yesterday said that of the 12,500 vouchers released, only 11,034 were totally claimed – over 7,000 claimed vouchers at the Bacolod plaza, BCGC – 670, The Upper East – 835), and other kiosks – 2,034.
She said the vouchers submitted to them by the food kiosk tenants will be verified first in order to ensure that those were not fake or reproduced.
“Each voucher bears a quick response (QR) code that can only be scanned once. Once all vouchers will be verified, we will make a report to the city mayor on the total number of vouchers used for the release of the fund to be paid to the food kiosks tenants,” said Cuaycong.
She further said that they need to ensure that the claimants were certified by the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation Inc., the festival organizer, and had special permit to operate./PN
