Negros readies for 2010 Panaad Festival

THE Provincial Government is now ready for the opening of this year's Panaad sa Negros Festival scheduled March 20 to 27 with the theme "United in One Festival, One Negros Occidental."

Karen Dinsay, Provincial Information Office (PIO) said that this year's celebration will be earlier than in the past because of the forthcoming synchronized national and local elections.

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The province has released P150,000 for each Local Government Units so they can participate in five events lined-up for the weeklong activity.

A firework display will also showcase during the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival.

Meanwhile, 20 Lin-ays coming from the towns and cities in the province will compete in the Search for Lin-ay sang Negros 2010.

Dinsay added that Tourism Secretary Ace Durano will send his undersecretary or the Regional Director in Western Visayas to grace the opening ceremonies.

Governor Isidro Zayco, earlier said that they won't invite politicians during the festivities and that they would not allow campaign materials to be displayed inside the Panaad Park and Stadium as he doesn't want that the festival will be politicized.