MOBILE phone network services will be cut off during the highlights of the 40th MassKara Festival in Bacolod City’s festival sites in Lacson Street and Bacolod public plaza from October 25 to 27, 2019.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said Wednesday, October 23, 2019, the National Telecommunications (NTC) already issued a memorandum dated October 17 directing the Globe Telecom, Inc. and Smart Communication, Inc. to cut off all network services during MassKara Festival from October 25, 26, and 27.
The memorandum, signed by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordova, stated that in view of the request of Police Brigadier General Emmanuel Luis Licup, the Globe Telecom, Inc. and Smart Communication, Inc. are directed to cut off all network services during the Electric MassKara from October 25 to 27 at 6th Street, 24th Lacson Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and during the MassKara competition open school and barangay categories from October 26 and 27 at Lizares-Araneta Streets from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Cordova said there shall be no signal, direct and/or reflected, coming from any cell site or base stations within one kilometer radius from the center of the event venue.
“Since we have a signal jamming, we are asking the cooperation of the MassKara revelers to avoid any untoward incidents. Parents should always watch their children especially minors,” Pico said.
He said several policemen were already deployed to various areas especially in the city’s festival sites at the Bacolod Government Center, Public Plaza, and Lacson Street, as well as in Manokan Country area to maintain peace and order.
On Monday, October 21, 2019, a total of 2,074 security personnel, majority of them from the police, were deployed to various areas of Bacolod to ensure the peace and order of the 40th MassKara Festival.
The send-off ceremony, which was held at the Bacolod Government Center, was led by Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas Director Rene Pamuspusan, the Bacolod City Police Office, and the city officials led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Pico said backpacks, ball caps, bladed weapons, and pointed sticks are prohibited at the festival sites as well as those who are wearing more than two t-shirts to avoid untoward incidents during the festival.
He said using drones without a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and bringing bottle of beer in the festival sites are also not allowed during the highlights.