THE arrival of President Rodrigo Duterte in Bacolod City to lead the opening of the 37th MassKara Festival has been moved to October 2, Sunday.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia announced this on Wednesday, September 28, after the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) had suggested to Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Clint Aranas to change the President’s schedule in Bacolod to October 2.
The PMS told Aranas that making the President come to Bacolod all the way from Vietnam might be too taxing, the mayor said.
Aranas earlier confirmed to the local media that Duterte will lead the opening of the MassKara Festival on October 1.
Leonardia said they are willing to adjust as long as it is the President who will open the festival.
“The MassKara festival opening will be on October 2, 6 p.m., but the MassKara kiosks can start on October 1,” the mayor said.
He added that the opening rites will be held at the public plaza, but still it is the people from the Office of the President or Duterte’s security people who will decide on the venue.
Leonardia earlier said that both the public plaza and the Bacolod Government Center will be ready.
Also expected during the opening rites are Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Other national officials who have confirmed attendance are Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino, Road Board chairman Chito Clavena, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, chairperson of the League of Cities of the Philippines, and the Department of Tourism Secretary.