VENUE INSPECTION. The Bacolod City Police Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal team conducts paneling to detect possible explosives in the vicinity of Bacolod City Government Center, one of the main festival sites of the 44th MassKara Festival, on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 21, 2023). It is the venue of the MassKara Electrika Diva and Electric MassKara float parade and competition Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City Police Office)
BACOLOD CITY – Services of three telecommunications companies have been suspended during the highlights of the 44th MassKara Festival this weekend.
On Saturday, festival organizer Bacolod Yuhum Foundation released a copy of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) memorandum addressed to DITO Telecommunity Corp., Globe Telecoms Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. regarding the suspension of cellular phone services, as requested by Philippine National Police chief Benjamin Acorda Jr.
The temporary cutoff of all network services started Saturday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., for the MassKara Electrika Diva and Electric MassKara float parade and competition.
The event covers the festival sites from The Upper East township going to the Bacolod City Government Center.
On the festival’s culmination on Sunday, the suspension of telecommunications signal will be from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the MassKara Street Dance and Arena competition.
The street dance performing groups from the 10 barangays will converge at Paglaum Sports Complex before performing along the routes starting at the reclamation area in front of SM City Bacolod.
Only some 4,500 ticketed individuals will be allowed to enter the venue for security and safety considerations.
“There shall be no signal, direct and/or reflected, coming from any cell sites in the areas covered by the festivities,” NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said in the memorandum.
Meanwhile, roads at the festival site along the Lacson Tourism Strip have also been closed to vehicles for stage setup until Sunday.
“We are expecting huge crowds to patronize our major festival sites and we have activated our interagency partners to ensure peace and security as well as maintain cleanliness,” Bacolod Yuhum Foundation president Katherine Matiling said.
In a statement, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez encouraged Bacolodnons to “immerse yourselves in the festival highlights and celebrate with the world."
“Let us revel in the beauty of our shared tradition, the rhythm of the street dances, and the kindred spirit that fills our air,” he added.
Benitez said he is "filled with immense pride and joy to witness the vibrant spirit and enthusiasm that Bacolod has displayed throughout the celebration."
“This endeavor is more than just a festival; it is a reflection of our resilience, creativity, and unity as a community,” he added. (PNA)
