By Mae Singuay

The chairperson of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on tourism is in favor of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez’s suggestion for an early issuance of authority to the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation (BYF) as MassKara Festival organizer following an income deficit during the October festivities this year.

“I am in favor of giving them the early authority,” Councilor Jason Villarosa said.

“I think it’s a win-win situation despite there were loses,” he added.

Villarosa told members of the media that BYF never gained any profit during this year’s MassKara Festival.

He revealed that BYF had an eight-digit income deficit during the annual festival in 2022.

Benitez, during a meeting with SP earlier, suggested that it is better to give BYF the authority as early as January, so that they can start to find sponsorship for the festival.

“August is not enough time to solicit sponsorship. So as early as January, it should be passed in the council so that they have more time to work on it,” Benitez said.

Villarosa said the SP granted BYF the authority last August, two months before the festival.

If it is given early, the BYF will have enough time to transact and look for sponsorship not only in the province, but also at national level, Villarosa said.

“They can also hold a road show to convince the international companies,” he said./MS, WDJ