BACOLOD City – For the first time in four decades, this city will not celebrate the world-famous MassKara Festival this October as local authorities continue to grapple with the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Mayor Evelio Leonardia announced the cancellation of this year’s festivity through Executive Order (EO) 62 on Monday.
He said that facts and scientific studies supported by empirical data established that mass gatherings can be an effective channel of transmitting and spreading infections, like the COVID-19, among the population.
Thus the mayor deemed it prudent to suspend all the MassKara’s public celebration and related revelries or activities to comply with the health and safety protocols in stemming the local spread of infections.
As of Sept. 20, Bacolod has 3,260 confirmed cases, including 1,839 recoveries which comprise 56.41 percent of the total number. The city still has 1,371 active cases (42.06 percent), and 50 deaths (1.54 percent).
Leonardia said the Business Permits and Licensing Office will not issue any permit or license to operate any form of activities or events in connection with the 2020 MassKara Festival, adding that any permit or license that may have already been issued or granted before EO 62 is deemed revoked or cancelled.
The mayor also requested the City Council to avoid the issuance of any permit or license for any activity or event related with the festival celebration, and to act in revoking the same if there has been a prior issuance.
The MassKara Festival, now on its 41st year, is held every October, with an ordinance setting the fourth Sunday of October as the permanent date of the highlights./PN
