Duterte to grace MassKara Festival’s closing rites

October 22 will feature the barangay category street dance and arena competition at the plaza. As the final day of the 22-day festivities, thousands are expected to flock to the venue.
(Photo: Travel Negros/Facebook)

BACOLOD CITY—  President Rodrigo Duterte will be the guest of honor at the closing of the 38th MassKara Festival on October 22.

It was initially announced by Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Jesus Clint Aranas on the festival’s opening day on October 1 that the President would come to Bacolod on October 20.

However, Mayor Evelio Leonardia announced on Saturday night that the President’s arrival has been moved to the festival’s final day after he met with the team from the Presidential Management Staff at the Bacolod City Government Center Friday.

October 22 will feature the barangay category street dance and arena competition at the plaza. As the final day of the 22-day festivities, thousands are expected to flock to the venue.

“It is the first time that a President will attend the highlights of the MassKara Festival. Let’s give credit to Deputy Commissioner Aranas who facilitated the visit of President Duterte in Bacolod City,” Leonardia said. “Having the President is something positive for the MassKara Festival.”

This is the second time President Duterte will grace the MassKara Festival after he opened the 37th edition on October 2 last year.

Leonardia said some senators are also expected to attend the highlights.

Last year, Aranas was also the one who confirmed the arrival of President Duterte.

He said earlier that the abolition of the Negros Island Region doesn’t mean that the President does not love the Negrenses.

“We will have our own state because that is the plan of President Duterte, that is why he will come here to assure us,” Aranas added.

More than 1,600 police, army, reservists and anti-crime volunteers are being deployed throughout the festival themed “Bacolod: City of Southeast Asia.”