NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday, August 17, that he would encourage local government units (LGUs) in the province to open their pavilions at the Panaad Park and Stadium at Barangay Mansilingan in Bacolod City during the MassKara Festival celebration.

Lacson said this is a good opportunity for a collaboration with the City Government of Bacolod.

Earlier, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II said the provincial government will be participating in the MassKara Festival in October this year.

Diaz said Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez had written the province to prepare the park for the MassKara Festival.

There is already so much hype with regards to the participation [of the provincial government at MassKara Festival], but the governor said he has not received any formal invitation yet.

Nonetheless, Lacson stressed, he can see the enthusiasm of other towns and cities to join the festivity.

“Hopefully, they have a budget for the opening of their pavilions and showcasing of their products because I don’t think any of them have a budget for Panaad (during the MassKara Festival),” Lacson stressed.

MassKara Festival is scheduled from October 1 to 22 after two years of hiatus due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.*