BACOLOD City — Motorists and commuters are advised to plan their trips ahead of time as the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD) announced temporary road closures and traffic restrictions on major thoroughfares from October 1 to 18 for the MassKara Festival 2026.
The measures aim to accommodate festival activities, ensure public safety and maintain orderly traffic flow, particularly around the Bacolod Public Plaza, Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) and Lacson Strip.
According to the BTTMD, sections of Rizal, San Juan, Gonzaga and Gatuslao streets surrounding the Public Plaza will be fully closed from October 1 to 18, between 3 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The BCGC entrance-exit road covering the Petron-Wilcon-Market Place area will also be subject to a half-road closure during the same period and hours.
Additional restrictions will be implemented on the following dates:
* Oct. 7 to 13: Full closure of Rizal Street, from San Juan corner to Palanca Road, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
* Oct. 10: Full closure from Lizares Street near McDonald’s toward Araneta, Gonzaga and Gatuslao streets near the Public Plaza, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
* Oct. 11: Full closure of Malaspina Street behind the STI Gym, from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
* Oct. 12 to 15: Half-road closure along Lacson Strip, from Chowking at B.S. Aquino Drive to SSS-Cottage Road, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
* Oct. 14: Full closure of the stretch from the San Sebastian-Araneta intersection to the Public Plaza, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
* Oct. 15 and 16: Half-road closure along the Araneta-Gonzaga-Rizal-SM route, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Oct. 16: Full closure of Circumferential Road, from Burgos Avenue to St. Francis Street and the streetlights area, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
* Oct. 16 to 18: Full closure of Lacson Strip, from Chowking at B.S. Aquino Drive to SSS-Cottage Road, from 2 p.m. to 5 a.m.
For the festival’s major activities on Oct. 17 and 18, a full road closure will cover the route from Hernaez Street near Jollibee toward Araneta, Gonzaga and Gatuslao streets, Rizal Street, Palanca Road and SM City Bacolod, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The BTTMD said overnight closures would be lifted the following morning, while traffic personnel would be deployed in affected areas to assist motorists and manage vehicle movement.
Motorists are urged to take alternate routes whenever possible, leave earlier than usual and monitor traffic advisories throughout the festival period.
The department also reminded the public to follow the instructions of traffic enforcers to minimize delays and ensure safer travel as Bacolod hosts the various activities of the MassKara Festival./PN
