A seven-day gunban throughout Negros Occidental and Bacolod City will begin on Monday, April 17, as the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival kicks off at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Friday, April 14.
The festival is returning after a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic with the 31 local governments of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City participating.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., in a memorandum, ordered the suspension of the Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) in the entire Bacolod City and Negros Occidental during the festival from 12:01 a.m. April 17, to 11:59 p.m. April 23.
Only the members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other Law Enforcement Agencies who are performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms, he said.
“This is to ensure that the activity will be free from firearm-related incidents for the safety of the community, as well as of the local and foreign tourists,” Azurin said.
Diaz said all is set for the festival that will start on Monday with a mass at 8 a.m. to be followed at 9 a.m. with the ribbon cutting ceremonies for the opening of the Best of Negros Products Trade Fair, Food Alley, Livelihood Village (Organic Village), “Bamboo Negrense, Aton Ini” Bamboo Village and PVO Animal Exhibit Area.
There will also be a blessing and inauguration of Provincial Animal Learning Park and Hospital at the East Road of the Panaad grounds, while at 10 a.m. the simultaneous opening of all themed-pavilions will be held.
There will be a motorcade from the Provincial Capitol to the Panaad Stadium at 3 p.m. Monday for the Panaad sa Negros grand opening ceremony a 4 p.m., Diaz said.
A fireworks display will be held at 7 p.m. to be followed by the Panaad ni Gov Concert featuring December Avenue at the Panaad Stadium at 8:30 p.m., he added.
The following are the rest of the Panaad sa Negros activities from April 18 to 23:
