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[av_heading heading=’Firearms banned during MassKara ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – Carrying and transporting firearms will be prohibited during the MassKara Festival next month.
Glass bottles and similar containers, and pointed grilling sticks and tools will be banned from the festival sites, too.
All permits to carry firearms outside of residence will be suspended from 8 a.m. on Oct. 1 to 8 a.m. on Oct.24, the Sangguniang Panlungsod said.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will enforce the gun ban, said Councilor Caesar Distrito.
The prohibitions were contained in two separate resolutions the councilors passed on Sept. 19.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia asked the city council to approve the resolutions.
In particular, BCPO director Senior Superintendent Flynn Dongbo recommended the firearms ban, said Distrito.
Organizers identified the New Government Center (city hall) ground, the public plaza and the Tourism Strip on Lacson Street as festival sites.
The BCPO will “thoroughly check and inspect in a courteous manner all backpacks and bags [during] the duration of the MassKara celebration,” especially at the festival sites, said the city council.
Dongbo yesterday assured the public the police will be on guard.
Armed criminal elements may take advantage of the influx of locals and tourists, especially during the highlights, he stressed.
MassKara’s main attractions are the street dancing competition and the Electric MassKara, a lighted floats’ contest.
NEW LOGO
Meanwhile, organizers and local officials unveiled the official logo, music and theme of the 37th MassKara Festival at city hall.
“A smiling mask, representing the present Bacolod, is rendered as a cheerful sun, representing her people’s hopes and aspirations,” the mayor’s office described the new logo in an email.
“It can also be viewed as a bird in flight, gentle but strong in its desire to reach her dreams,” it added.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Rep. Greg Gasataya, several councilors, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros were present at the unveiling led by the Silver MassKara Festival Organization.
This year’s MassKara theme is “Bacolod: Back on Track.”
“Festivals celebrate the most significant events and developments in a community’s life,” the mayor’s office said.
“This year, the biggest event in Bacolod was the emergence of a new political order that rose in a background of tumult and unprecedented divisiveness. That our people pulled through speaks of our maturity. That is what we celebrate about in this year’s MassKara,” it said./PN
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