• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that they have enough security forces to secure the visitors at the Panaad sa Negros Festival site in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, where the opening ceremony was attended by thousands of people from all walks of life.
More than 1,100 members of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire and Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and other force multipliers were deployed to the festival site starting Sunday.
“Security wise, we are prepared,” Lacson stressed, as he also expressed hope that there will be no untoward incidents during the week-long festivities.
This Panaad Week, let us come together and celebrate as one united province because after fulfilling the promise last year, we are now Living the Promise of Panaad, the governor said.
Let us embrace this opportunity to showcase the best of Negros Occidental and the Negrenses, and enrich the Panaad historical landscape as the festival of all festivals of the province and create lasting memories for both present and future generations, he added.
Senator Imee Marcos, Rep. Gerardo Valmayor (1st district, Negros Occidental), Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th district, Negros ) and her husband, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, and almost all mayors in the province joined the opening rites, which was capped by the presentation of festival dances of various local government units, and the 29 candidates for the 2024 Lin-ay sang Negros.
With your presence, it is very clear how the Panaad Festival holds a very special place in the hearts of every Negrense, Lacson addressed the crowd.
It is for this reason that the Provincial Government, together with our partners, is going to great lengths to make this year’s Panaad as enjoyable and memorable as possible for both tourists and locals alike, he added.
Lacson also thanked Vice Gov. Ferrer, members of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan, local chief executives and Negros Occidental solons, and other stakeholders for their unwavering support and commitment to the success of Panaad sa Negros 2024.
It is through our united efforts, shared vision, and sincere devotion to service that we will continue to realize the promise of a better Negros Occidental for our fellow Negrenses, he said.
Without our LGUs’ active participation, Panaad will not be the renowned festival that it is, Lacson further stressed.
Senator Marcos gave an additional P200,000 in cash prizes for the champions in the festival dance champions in the city and municipal categories.*
