• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

A total of 680 security personnel from different law enforcement agencies have been tasked to secure the Panaad sa Negros festival site in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, disclosed provincial police spokesman PCapt. Judesses Catalogo.
The week-long enforcement of gun ban also kicks off today, until April 23, and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Senators Bong Go, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and Francis Tolentino also arriving for the festival opening ceremonies at 4 p.m.
Task Force Panaad is led by PCol. Leo Pamittan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental.
Pamittan and Festival director Cheryl Decena, also the Provincial Tourism Officer, led on Saturday the ceremonial send-off of security personnel, composed of NOCPPO, Bacolod City Police Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Command, Aviation Security Group, Special Action Battalion 6, Bureau of Fire and Protection, PNP Highway Patrol Group as well as Explosives Ordnance Division, among others.
Decena, represented Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who is expected to return to work today. She expressed her confidence in the success of the festival, citing the unwavering service and dedication of the deployed security personnel.
Pastor Celino Villarete, chairman of the NOCPPO Provincial Advisory Group on Police Transformation and Development (PAGPTD) blessed the troops, including the equipment and vehicles they will be using.
The Panaad sa Negros, dubbed as festival of all festivals in Negros Occidental, starts with a thanksgiving mass at 8 a.m., to be followed ribbon cutting ceremonies for the opening of Best of Negros Products Trade Fair, Food Alley, Livelihood Village, Bamboo Negrense Village, and Animal Exhibit Area.
There will be a blessing and inauguration of the Provincial Animal Learning Park and Hospital, and the ABANSE Negrense Integrated Laboratory, and the simultaneous opening of all themed-pavilions of the 31 participating local government units.*