By CESAR JOLITO III
The implementation of a gun ban during the 46th MassKara Festival remains uncertain as security and safety preparations for the festivities are now in full swing, with nearly 2,000 police officers, round-the-clock traffic enforcers, and fire protection personnel set for deployment.
“I think this could be the first time a gun ban will not be implemented in a major festival,” Bacolod City Police Office director Colonel Joersty Coronica said in a press briefing yesterday.
“Most permit holders are given that privilege because they have shown discipline. But for safety, it would be better if it’s suspended during the festivities,” he added.
On security restrictions, Coronica revealed that a proposed gun ban has already been endorsed to Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
However, the request must still be forwarded by the city government to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame.
The Bacolod Gugma Foundation, which heads the inter-agency committee for the festival, said it has already raised the matter to Mayor Greg Gasataya but has yet to receive an update.
Meanwhile, Coronica said 1,890 police officers will be mobilized to secure MassKara.
Of this number, 900 will come from augmentation forces — 600 from other provincial police offices under the Police Regional Office in Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) and 300 from PRO in Western Visayas.
“This is the first time that BCPO is under PRO-NIR. Our regional office saw that augmentation within PRO-NIR alone is not enough,” Coronica said.
Rerouting
Traffic management will also be intensified during the month-long festivities in October.
Atty. Reuben Mikhail Sabig, head of the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department, said they have requested additional enforcers to render 24-hour duty from October 1 to 19.
“We also have traffic rerouting, especially during road closures, but we are still finalizing the diagram for rerouting of public utility jeepneys and private vehicles. The changes will be minimal,” Sabig said.
At the Bacolod Public Plaza, road closures will run from September 28 to October 20, with full closures from October 1 to 19.
Weekday closures will be from 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., while on weekends, it will extend until 3:00 a.m.
The roads affected include Rizal, San Juan, Gatuslao, and portions of the Araneta Strip.
Similar schedules will also be implemented around the Bacolod City Government Center, affecting its north, south and east roads.
Meanwhile, the Lacson Tourism Strip will be closed from October 13 to 21, with a full closure beginning October 16 at 1:00 p.m. until October 21 at 6:00 a.m.
The Electric MassKara Street Dance Competition on October 17 will also require a full closure from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. along Circumferential Road.
The School and Barangay Category Street Dance Competition on October 18 and 19 will enforce full closures from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. along the Paglaum Sports Complex to the Bacolod Public Plaza route.
Festival director Rodney Mitz Ascalon appealed for patience and cooperation, saying that while the closures may affect daily routines, they are necessary to maintain safety and order during the festival.
“With everyone’s support, we can ensure a secure, vibrant and world-class MassKara celebration,” he said./CJ, WDJ