• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office has reported “zero” major crime incidents during the week long Panaad sa Negros Festival celebration at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, which ran from April 15 to 21.
More than 1,100 security forces, including force multipliers, were fielded to secure the visitors of the Panaad sa Negros festival.
“Our security forces played their roles very well, even the crowd management at the grandstand. It really shows a lot of difference, compared to previous Panaad festivities,” said Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who was represented by Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, during the deactivation ceremony of Task Group Panaad held at the Panaad Park in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
PCol. Rainerio de Chavez, officer in charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, also distributed plaques of appreciation to the provincial government, represented by Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head Irene Bel Plotena, Provincial Fire Marshall Supt. Arnold Alba, and Coast Guard Northern District Commander Paterno Belarmino Jr., among other partners, for a job well done during the weeklong festivities.
In his message during the deactivation ceremony, Atty. Diaz acknowledged the hard work displayed by the troops coming from PNP, PCG, BFP, and PDMPD, that resulted in a peaceful celebration of the Panaad sa Negros festival celebrations.
In a phone interview, Lacson also noted an improved flow of traffic at the Panaad sa Negros festival site, compared to previous celebrations, as he also noted that the absence of commercial stalls along the road somehow helped smoothen the flow of vehicles.*
