• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
After attending the Bacolod City MassKara Festival in October last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte have been invited by the provincial government of Negros Occidental to the Panaad sa Negros festival, slated on April 17 to 23.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz yesterday said they are still awaiting the confirmation of the two top officials of the country.
Diaz said Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, also the Personal Adviser of President Marcos Jr. in Western Visayas, will be instrumental in convincing them to be the special guests during the annual festivities.
The celebration of Panaad sa Negros, dubbed as the mother of all festivals in the province, returns this year, after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Diaz said that there is currently only one COVID-19 positive patient at the Cadiz District Hospital.
In his personal opinion, Diaz added that there is no need for province-wide COVID-19 health protocols, adding that even Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson sees no reason to coming out with stringent rules and regulations, regarding the return of people to their respective local government units, for Holy Week rituals.
He further said that they are enjoining everyone to attend the Panaad Festival, and the province is also ready to welcome visitors coming from other provinces and regions of the country.
“Our preparations are 100 percent full speed ahead. So far, so good. Everything is on the right track. There has been no backlog as to the physical preparations, documents and procurement has been made,” Diaz pointed out.
Regarding security preparations, all concerned agencies met on Wednesday and all the nitty- gritty tackled, Diaz said, as he also assured visitors at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, “of a fun and safe festival.”
While they have not requested additional security manpower, Diaz gave assurances that there will be no security gaps, as everything is planned, stressing also that the number of security personnel is adjusted based on the expected guests.
Panaad sa Negros guests are set to be entertained by Filipino bands such as December Avenue, The Itchyworms, and Rivermaya, on April 17, 19 and 23, respectively.*
