By CESAR JOLITO III

Several production staff members who worked under Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., the organizer of the MassKara Festival 2025, have come forward alleging they have not yet received their salaries more than a month after the celebration ended.

In an exclusive interview with dyHB RMN Bacolod, a worker identified only as “Inday” (not her real name) said she served as part of the production team at one of the festival sites in October.

As of this week, she has yet to receive her pay, amounting to more than P10,000.

“[The claims] would greatly help us and our families,” she said in the radio interview, noting that most production staff had worked long hours to ensure the success of the city’s biggest festival.

According to Inday, she is not alone. She claims that other staff members — also assigned to various production areas — remain unpaid.

Based on discussions among workers, she estimates that the total amount allegedly owed by the foundation could exceed P500,000.

She appealed to Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. to immediately release the workers’ salaries, stressing that many are still recovering from the impacts of recent typhoons.

Inday further alleged that individuals closer to the foundation or those holding certain positions may have already been paid, while those who “worked on the ground” have not received a single peso.

Workers were initially expecting their salaries on November 20, but the supposed release date passed without any payment.

They were later told that salaries might instead be released by January 2026, reportedly due to the foundation’s reliance on sponsorship income.

Inday also revealed learning that some winners of select MassKara Festival competitions have yet to receive their cash prizes, raising more concerns about the foundation’s financial management.

As of press time, Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. has yet to issue a statement regarding the allegations./CJ, WDJ