BACOLOD City – Mobile phone signals from telecommunication companies are likely to be shut down, likewise all permits to carry firearms outside residence will be temporarily suspended during the highlights of the MassKara Festival next month.
This is to ensure the safety of thousands of revelers who will join the festivity, mayor Evelio Leonardia said.
According to Leonardia, he will send a request to the concerned agencies to enforce these tight security measures during the festivities slated October 8 to 27.
“Security is the most important aspect in this event. We will request for a gun ban and signal jamming for the sake of security. I think everybody will cooperate,” he said.
On Sunday, Leonardia led the official launching of the 40th MassKara Festival at the New Government Center lobby. This year’s festival was themed “Bacolod, City of Smiles.”
He was joined by Eli Francis Tajanlangit, festival director of the Silver Masskara festival organization (SMFO); Councilor Israel Salanga, who is also the assistant festival director for festival sites; and Liga ng mga Barangay president Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen.
“This is a MassKara like no other even if we just simply think in terms of its being 40 years,” said Leonardia.
He added: “Some people would tell me; our smile is just different…Let’s take advantage of this.”
Part of the launching was a countdown to the Ruby MassKara, wherein city and festival officials switched on the countdown clock.
The countdown clock was posted on the MassKara Festival Facebook pages “The MassKara Festival” and “Celebrate MassKara.”/PN