City and Gugma Foundation Formalize Festival Partnership
BACOLOD - The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod ratified on August 26 the agreement between the City Government of Bacolod and the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. for the implementation of MassKara Festival 2026. The memorandum of agreement covers the festival scheduled from October 1 to 25, including pre-festival activities, promotional efforts, event screenings, and major festival highlights. Earlier, the City Council passed Resolution No. 956, Series of 2026, authorizing Mayor Greg Gasataya to sign the proposed agreement with BGFI, represented by its President and Festival Director Rodney Mitz Bando Ascalon.
Clear Roles for the City Government and BGFI
Under the agreement, the Bacolod City Government will assist with securing necessary permits, traffic management, road closures, and security measures during the festival. Meanwhile, BGFI will oversee festival planning, sponsor participation, promotions, staffing, vendor rentals, ticket sales, and other operational requirements. The agreement also establishes accountability measures covering the submission of liquidation and fund utilization reports as well as the proper accounting of festival revenues. According to BGFI Board of Director and Head of Legal Affairs Hannah Lea Tañoso Dela Torre, the ratification provides the institutional basis for implementing the agreement while remaining subject to applicable laws, rules, and government requirements.
MassKara 2026 Moves Toward Full Implementation
The ratification strengthens the partnership between the City of Bacolod and BGFI as preparations move toward the full implementation of MassKara Festival 2026. Ascalon expressed appreciation to Mayor Gasataya and the members of the City Council for their continued support and partnership with the foundation. BGFI also reaffirmed its goal of creating meaningful and inclusive activities anchored on this year’s theme, “Share the Smile, Celebrate Gugma,” while pursuing its vision of making MassKara a #MassKaraForAll celebration. With the agreement formally ratified, the city and the foundation can proceed with coordinated preparations for one of Bacolod’s major annual tourism and cultural events.
