BACOLOD City – At least 1,102 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and various augmentation and multiplier groups were deployed on Saturday to secure the Panaad Sa Negros Festival that kicks off this Monday, April 15.
Dubbed as the province’s “festival of all festivals,” the annual celebration derived from the Hiligaynon word Panaad, which means vow or promise, will run until April 21 at Panaad Park and Stadium in this city’s Barangay Mansilingan. Now on its 28th year of staging, the 2024 Panaad Sa Negros Festival is themed “Living the Promise.”
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the send-off ceremony of the security forces under the supervision of Colonel Rainerio de Chavez, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr.
Lacson said the role of the security forces in ensuring public safety is critical as the province has more activities lined up, including band concerts and major competitions, for a larger celebration.
“We are looking at several thousands of Negrenses and tourists attending the festival. As such, we want our festival-goers not only to be safe but to feel safe as well to be able to truly enjoy what we have prepared for them,” he added.
In line with the efforts to maintain peace and order, a gun ban has been enforced in the entire Negros Occidental from 12:01 a.m. on April 15 to 11:59 p.m. on April 21.
All permits to carry firearms outside of residence are suspended during this period.
Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, NOCPPO deputy director for operations and commander of the Panaad 2024 Site Task Group, said that with thorough security preparations, they see a successful and even better staging of the festival this year.
“We have carefully prepared the security plan and already implemented its initial phases,” she added.
The Panaad Festival’s main feature is the showcase of the themed pavilions of the 32 local government units, including its capital and highly-urbanized city of Bacolod, designed as replicas of their municipal or city halls or the products they are known for. (PNA)/PN
