Negros Occidental police, emergency responders gear up for 30th Panaad Festival
ALMOST 1,000 policemen will secure the 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival in Bacolod City from April 13 to 19. (PRO-NIR)
BACOLOD CITY – Security forces and emergency responders in Negros Occidental are gearing up for the 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival from April 13 to 19.
This weekend, close to 900 police personnel will be deployed for the week-long festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium here while the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Emergency Operations Center will go on blue alert.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson will witness the send-off of troops and resources of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) led by Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, commander of Task Group Panaad 2026.
"With measures in place, the PRO-NIR assures the public that the Panaad Festival 2026 will be conducted in a safe and orderly manner. We also encourage the public to remain vigilant and extend full cooperation with authorities by strictly observing security protocols," Ibay said in a statement on Friday.
Police personnel tasked to secure the festival are from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Bacolod City Police Office, and Philippine National Police support units.
Security forces will utilize over 100 logistical assets, including mobile vehicles, motorcycles, handheld radios, base radios, and man truck to enhance mobility, coordination, and operational efficiency throughout the event.
The Negros Occidental Emergency Operations Center will be placed under blue alert status from 8 a.m. April 10 to 8 a.m. April 20.
“Blue alert” requires the operation centers to be on standby and prepared to respond to any incident.
Lacson earlier said the provincial government is prepared to respond in the event Kanlaon Volcano would erupt during the Panaad sa Negros Festival. "All disaster response mechanisms and protocols are firmly in place," he said.
Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2 or moderate level of volcanic unrest.