Guv says Panaad 2023 definitely a go

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the in-person celebration of the Panaad Festival this year “is definitely a go.”

The initial launching of the Panaad sa Negros festival was set on Feb 13, 2023 at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon here but was reset to a later date.

Provincial Information Officer Chacha Magallanes Tan said the launching will be finalized after the logo and emblem for the event are chosen from entries submitted on Monday.

Lacson said the launching could be in the first week of March.

Organizers are also finalizing the official music for the festival.

Lacson also said the budget is already approved “so definitely Panaad will be held this year.”

This will be the first holding of the Panaad festival under the term of Governor Lacson.

Panaad festival was postponed during Lacson’s first 3-year term because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Panaad sa Negros festival is dubbed as the mother of all festivals in the province where all local government units (LGUs) gather at the Panaad Park and Stadium to showcase their products in their respective pavilions.

Earlier, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said that a P25-million fund was already earmarked for the festival.

He added that this does not include the financial support to all participating LGUs, which will be taken from the Grants and Donations budget of the Office of the Governor.

Diaz said that instead of a foundation, the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) will serve as the partner of the provincial government in managing financial obligations and showcasing the “best of the best Negros products” during the week-long festivities.

The festival will feature three major concerts by popular Manila bands to be spread out over the week at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Diaz said that aside from showcasing the Lin-ay sa Negros beauty pageant, festival dances of various local government units, and many other activities, they will introduce a new event called the “Best of Negros Products” trade fair.

It will showcase the best national, regional and provincial level winners from food to non-food categories.

Meanwhile, Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena has been designated as Executive and Festival director of the Panaad sa Negros Festival 2023, based on the Executive Order issued by Lacson.

To ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the annual event dubbed as the “Festival of all Festivals,” Lacson said there is a need to amend the different committees that will facilitate the overall planning, implementation, coordination, and supervision of various programs and events.

The Panaad sa Negros festival will be held from April 17 to 23 this year.