• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than 1,000 security personnel and force multipliers have been deployed to secure the week-long Panaad sa Negros festival site in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and PCol. Rainerio de Chavez, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, led the security sendoff ceremony on Saturday.
The security contingent is composed of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire and Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, various search and rescue groups and volunteers, in close coordination with the Bacolod City Police Office.
The festival kicks off March 24 and ends March 30.
The Security Committee and Site Task Group led by Gov. Lacson assured that all preparations are in place for a safe and successful weeklong celebration.
In a press briefing on Friday, Charina Magallanes Tan, this year’s festival director, called on Negrenses to join the festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City “because we have a lot in store for them.”
The festival will start with a thanksgiving mass at 8 a.m., to be followed by the ribbon cutting ceremonies for the food security and technology showcase (organic village), food alley, livestock and dairy fair exhibit, art fair, provincial government trade fair, and the blessing of the LGU pavilions.
Tan said the grand opening ceremony will be at 4 p.m. followed by the Best of Festival Dances competition at 5 p.m., which will include half-time entertainment.
The festival is touted to be a star studded event, with the presence of Rico Blanco, Janella Salvador, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Regine Velasquez, Angeline Quinto,Martin Nievera, Moira, KD Estrada, Parokya ni Edgar, and PBB Gen 11 housemates – Rain, Kolette, Patrick, and Dingdong, who will entertain Negrenses at the Panaad Park and Stadium.*
