President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Sunday commended Bacolod City for holding a successful Masskara Festival after a two-year hiatus.
“So I congratulate Bacolod City for holding, possibly… I think I’m correct here when I say the most successful MassKara Festival in the history of Bacolod City,” the President said in his speech during the culminating activity of the MassKara Festival 2022 at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City.
“At ang pagbalik ng MassKara Festival ngayon ay nangggaling sa kahirapan at sa kalungkutan. Ngunit, makikita na natin na iniwanan na natin ang kahirapan at kalungkutan at ipinakita na ng mga tiga-Bacolod na tayo ay bumalik na at masaya na naman ulit at bumalik sa ating mga labi ang ating mga ngiti,” he said.
Through the festival, the President said Bacolod City showed the world and the country that the Philippines is keen on going back to normal.
“Kaya’t ipakita ninyo, pinakita ninyo dito sa pag-celebrate ng MassKara Festival, ngayong nakaraan ilang linggo ay dito sa – pinakita ninyo sa buong Pilipinas at sa buong mundo na tayo dito sa Pilipinas ay nakabalik na, tayo ay handa na bumalik sa trabaho, tayo’y bumalik na sa eskwelahan ang ating mga kabataan at tayo ay babalik na sa ating dating ginagawa na pagandahin at pataasin ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas para maging mas maginawa ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
“Sa ganyang paraan, ang mga tiga-Bacolod ay ang naging – magiging halimbawa para sa buong Pilipinas. Sasabihin, pag-alis ko rito, sasabihin ko lahat kung kaya nilang gawin ang MassKara Festival sa Bacolod, dapat tayong lahat din ay ganyan din na bumangon na tayo at dahil ang aking pangako sa inyo ay tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagbabangon,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive commended the city government for the launching of the Bacolod Comprehensive Health Program, which grants hospitalization services, free annual consultations, and complementary medicines.
In addition, the President also cited the upcoming launch of the Social Pension Fund for Senior Citizens, which will help in addressing their needs, particularly for basic necessities and medicine.
“Itong mga ganitong klaseng initiative na inuuna ang ating mga – ang kabuhayan ng ating mga mamamayan ay nakakatiyak tayo na ang ating lipunan, kung gagawin lang natin ito, ang ating lipunan ay magiging napakaganda,” the President said.
The President also took the opportunity to express gratitude to the people of Bacolod City for their warm welcome.
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa napakainit na salubong na ibinigay ninyo sa akin,” he said, as he recalled his previous visit to the city during the campaign.
Also present during the program include Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, Senator Francis Tolentino, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, and Alliance Global Group CEO Kevin Tan. | PND
