BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson urged the people to patronize locally manufactured goods as the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival with the theme “The Promise Renewed” officially opened at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan here on Monday, April 17.
NEGROS Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) leads the opening of the Best of Negros exhibits during the opening of the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City on Monday, April 17. (Photo courtesy of Capitol PIO)

In his message, Lacson acknowledged the substantial contributions of the province’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the local economy and nation-building. Because of the severity of the economic blow of the recent crisis on their sector, he encouraged the public to shift their buying patterns toward the consumption and purchase of locally manufactured goods that are abundant at the Panaad Park and Stadium. We have seen our country through periods of crisis before, and reversals are opportunities for us to rethink and re-evaluate our efforts to usher our country and our people toward recovery, the governor said. Lacson said that this year’s festivity presents a deeper meaning in light of what the people of Negros went through the past three years which resulted into the cancellation of this yearly celebration. Panaad sa Negros was launched 30 years ago to showcase the festivals, the history, cultural heritage, commerce, industry, and tourism potential of all the cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental. “Thirty years after its inception, Panaad continues to be the embodiment of unity among Negrenses and our 32 local government units (LGUs),” Lacson said, adding that the success of this festival is attributable to the unequivocal support of the mayors and all local officials. Without our LGUs’ active participation, Panaad will not be the renowned festival that it is, Lacson said, as he stressed that the festival this year is not just an occasion or a fiesta but a celebration of dedication, strength, and faith as one province. Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, who graced the festival opening, said that as they take pride in this week-long celebration, they also take pride in DOT seeing how domestic tourism is alive, well, and thriving with initiatives of the LGUs. Frasco said that the momentum of recovery under the present administration has begun. She said that they fully foresee 100 percent recovery for domestic tourism this year and thanked the province for its contribution to normalcy. She also lauded the province that despite the difficulties and challenges, there is a promise of renewal, promise of hope in prevailing through any circumstance. “That also displays the pride of place of the Negrenses,” she said.