The return of the Panaad sa Negros Festival after a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, was truly a hit, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Sunday, April 23.
Lacson, who spoke at the closing rites of the weeklong festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, pointed out that as of 3 p.m. Sunday sales of participating local government units (LGUs) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises hit more than P20 million.
Total sales of the LGU booths hit P14 million, food kiosks P5.6 million and trade fair – P344,810 with the figures expected to increase Sunday evening
Lacson also pointed out that there was a very good crowd turn-out during the festival, which also included international and national guests.
“Panaad is a venue for our LGUs to showcase their best products, talents, and festivals, and they did not perform as expected, they exceeded all expectations,” Lacson said, as he thanked all the participants and those behind making the festival a success.
Lacson said the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival is “a testament to the harmony and cooperation of all Negrenses from the northernmost city of the province, San Carlos City, to the southernmost town, Hinoba-an”.
“This year’s Panaad is indeed a feat. After three years of hiatus, Panaad sa Negros truly came back with all the Negrenses might and main,” he said.
”We thank God for this opportunity,” Lacson added.
This year’s Panaad is a renewed promise to the Negrenses “that we will not only regain what we have lost, but we are going to be better, we are going to do better, and we will go after our full potential,” Lacson said.
Negros Occidental is on its way to regain what it lost during the pandemic, he said.
Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena was this year’s festival director.*