Panaad Festival proceeding amid Kanlaon threat
BACOLOD CITY – Organizers of the Panaad sa Negros Festival are committed to proceeding with the event amid the threat posed by Kanlaon Volcano.
The provincial government of Negros Occidental reassured the public that extensive measures are being taken to ensure the safety of festival-goers and continuity of festival activities.
“Life is full of hardships and challenges. These are the times that we can bring back the spirit of joy to our people,” Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said.
Diaz recalled that affected local government units found a way to celebrate Christmas with the evacuees at evacuation centers amid volcanic activities last December. “We really persevere to deliver projects to the evacuees,” he said.
“During the festival, we want to celebrate the unity of the whole province and showcase to the entire country what the province can accomplish if we work together and in unity with one another,” Diaz said.
Diaz assured that government assets at the Panaad Park and Stadium here are ready in the event of an emergency. The facility is one of the areas eyed for the massive evacuation of residents from Kanlaon-hit areas in the province.
“Everything is in place whether for massive crowds for the festival or evacuation. It is ready,” Diaz said.
The province is celebrating the 29th edition of the mother of all festivals in Negros Occidental from March 24 to 30 with the theme “The Future is Now.”
“Even in darkness, we need a little spark of light, in sadness, we need a little spark of joy to perk up everybody,” Diaz said.