BACOLOD CITY — The National Telecommunications Commission has approved the shutdown of signals from mobile service providers during the main events of the 43rd Masskara Festival on 22 to 23 October.

Festival director Pinky Mirano-Ocampo stressed that the shutdown will be implemented during the Electric Masskara float and dance showdown and street and arena dance competitions.

"This is customary during big events, especially since we are expecting no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grace our main event," said Ocampo, but clarified that signal jamming "will only be limited to performance areas such as the major dance routes and the festival arena at the Paglaum Stadium."

The Electric Masskara competition on 22 October will be held at Megaworld's The Upper East and Bacolod City Government Center grounds and on 23 October, the festival will end with performers dancing their way through Rizal and Araneta streets before reaching the Paglaum Sports Complex.

Over the weekend, the Masskara Festival opened with a countdown and a fireworks display witnessed by about 20,000 spectators at Bacolod City Government Center grounds.