By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY — All roads from the 31 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental, including the bustling metropolis of Bacolod, converge at Panaad Park and Stadium today, April 15, 2024, for the grand opening of the 28th Panaad sa Negros Festival.
Over the weekend, a send-off ceremony for the Task Force Group Panaad Festival was conducted at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. The event, spearheaded by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and provincial police director Police Col. Rainerio de Chavez, established the security measures for the upcoming festivities.
“The success of last year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival after a three-year hiatus demonstrates how the Panaad Festival holds a very special place in the hearts of every Negrense,” Lacson said.
He emphasized that this year’s festival would be more expansive, with a wide array of activities slated for an enhanced celebration.
“We anticipate a significant influx of people, we are looking at several thousands of Negrenses and tourists,” Lacson added during the send-off ceremony.
In addition to themed pavilions serving as attractions, he highlighted that concerts and major contests are expected to draw large crowds.
“As such, we want our festival-goers not only to be safe but to feel safe as well, to truly enjoy what we have prepared for them. This will significantly enhance the integrity of our festival,” Lacson stressed.
Lacson underscored the pivotal role of the Philippine National Police in ensuring order, crowd management, emergency preparedness, and overall public safety.
“To our men and women in uniform, particularly the Task Group Panaad 2024, I understand how taxing your job can be, especially in the heat of El Niño. For this, I am truly grateful,” he acknowledged.
More than a thousand personnel from various government security forces, led by the PNP, were deployed at the Panaad Park and Stadium on Saturday to ensure a secure festival from April 15 to 21.
A gun ban is in effect throughout the festival’s duration.
The festival’s grand opening will feature morning exhibitions and a dance competition, concluding with a concert and fireworks display hosted by the governor.
Local government units will also compete today in the “Best of Festival Dances” competition.
Additional highlights include the Governor’s Night on April 18 and the Lin-ay sang Negros pageant night on April 19.
Previously, Lacson urged local chief executives to support the festival, dubbed the “mother of all festivals” in the province. The celebrations are being managed by provincial tourism officer Cheryl Decena.
