HUGE CROWD. The Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City was jampacked during a concert on the final night on Sunday (April 23, 2023) of the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said this year’s Panaad is indeed a feat after three years of hiatus due to the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has lauded the success of the week-long 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival, which culminated on Sunday night with more than PHP20 million in sales recorded by the local government units (LGUs), exhibitors, and kiosks from April 17 to 23.
“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. Again, we thank God for this opportunity,” Lacson said in his message.
Considered the “festival of all festivals”, the event, held during summer at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan here, is participated by all 32 cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental, including this capital city.
Each LGU has its own themed pavilion at the park, where it showcases the famous delicacies and other products it is known for.
On Monday, Maria Teresa Manalili, this city’s chief tourism operations officer, said the city alone posted more than PHP300,00 in total sales during the festival.
Based on figures from the LGU booths, kiosks and trade fair, opening day sales on April 17 hit PHP2.049 million; April 18, PH1.946 million; April 19, PHP2.293 million; April 20, PHP3.324 million; April 21, PHP4.508 million; April 22, PHP4.051 million; and as of 3 p.m. on April 23, PHP1.856 million.
In 2019, total sales reached PHP20.2 million, based on the final report released by the Capitol.
Lacson said this year’s sales record is a “good jumpstart” for the medium, small and micro enterprises in Negros Occidental.
“We had a very good crowd turn-out since Day 1 and a good number of international and national guests who graced our events,” he added.
The governor said the just-concluded festival is “indeed a renewed promise to the Negrenses”.
“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,” he said.
“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 added. (PNA)
