BACOLOD - Telecommunication services from three major companies will be suspended during key events of the 44th MassKara Festival this weekend. The Bacolod Yuhum Foundation, the festival's organizer, made public on Saturday a memorandum from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), directed at DITO Telecommunity Corp., Globe Telecoms Inc., and Smart Communications Inc. The suspension of cellular services comes at the request of Philippine National Police Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr.
According to News Releases by Philippines News Agency, the suspension began on Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., during the MassKara Electrika Diva and Electric MassKara float parade and competition. The festivities stretch from The Upper East township to the Bacolod City Government Center. On Sunday, the culmination of the festival, telecommunication services will be further suspended from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the MassKara Street Dance and Arena competition. The competition will feature street dance groups from 10 barangays, beginning their performances at the reclamation area in front of SM City Bacolod and converging at the Paglaum Sports Complex.
NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez stated in the memorandum that no cell signal, either direct or reflected, should be present in the areas covered by the events. A cap of 4,500 ticketed individuals has been placed for entrance to the venue, owing to security and safety considerations.
In related developments, roads at the festival site along the Lacson Tourism Strip have been closed for stage setup until Sunday. Katherine Matiling, the president of Bacolod Yuhum Foundation, mentioned that they are expecting large crowds and have coordinated with interagency partners to ensure peace and security, as well as cleanliness.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, in a statement, encouraged residents to take part in the festival’s highlights. "This endeavor is more than just a festival; it is a reflection of our resilience, creativity, and unity as a community," he said.