Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson called on the public to buy locally manufactured goods at the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival that opened on Monday, April 17.
“I encourage everyone to shift their buying patterns towards the consumption and purchase of locally manufactured goods that we have in abundance in the Panaad Park and Stadium” in Bacolod where the weeklong festival is being held, Lacson said in his speech at the opening rites.
Lacson said he was issuing the call in acknowledgment of “the substantial contributions of our MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) to the local economy and nation-building, and the severity of the economic blow of the recent crisis on their sector”.
The 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival that runs until April 23 returns after a three-year hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is also the first Pansad sa Negros celebration under Lacson’s administration.
“This year’s Panaad sa Negros presents a deeper meaning in light of what we went through the past three years, which caused us to abandon this yearly celebration,” Lacson said.
He said the Panaad is the embodiment of unity among Negrenses and the 32 Local Government Units (LGUs) of the province.
“The success of this festival is attributable to the unequivocal support of our mayors and all our local officials. Without our LGUs’ active participation, Panaad will not be the renowned festival that it is,” he said.
“Let us invite friends, families, and peers to come and join our weeklong festival, so we can share with them the famed Negrense spirit, grace, and hospitality through our cuisine and products…A culture such as ours needs to be discovered by the world and rediscovered by our own,” he said.
The festival opening program was attended by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and senators Francis Tolentino and Bong Go.
Also present were Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, the representatives, board members and mayors of Negros Occidental.
Lacson led 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 at the festival grounds Monday morning.
The blessing and inauguration of Provincial Animal Learning Park and Hospital, and the simultaneous opening of LGU pavilions were also held.*