Saturday, April 14, 2007 250-strong security force to guard Panaad By Genalin D. Ducay and Nicolas C. Delfin
* Dos and don'ts set for politicos attending festival
* Celebrities from Manila coming
THE heat is on!
Despite the scorching heat of summer at 35 degrees Celsius, the forthcoming national elections and the threat of insurgency, the 14th Panaad sa Negros Festival opens Saturday at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City with the same fervor it has always been known for.
Dubbed as the "Festival of Festivals," Panaad sa Negros has attracted large number of Negrenses and their relatives in and out of the country as well as foreign tourists.
But since the festival falls on the campaign season, this year's Panaad celebration has less pressure on local government units (LGUs) composed of 13 cities and 19 municipalities.
"This year, we have more corporate-sponsored events rather than the usual events done in the previous years that primarily involved the LGUs. We have cancelled a number of LGU competitions. This will unburden the mayors who are also busy running their campaign," said Marlin Sanogal, concurrent provincial information officer IV and Panaad action officer.
Although Panaad is a venue where politicians can address a large number of voters, candidates are strictly prohibited from posting campaign materials, including streamers, inside the park and stadium.
"They can distribute handbills but prohibited from outright campaigns," she added.
Campaign vehicles with loudspeakers are likewise prohibited from parking within the Panaad grounds.
Less LGU events and competition means less budget compared to the previous year, Sanogal said.
"Last year the Province's total expenses, including the assistance extended to private sector groups who joined the festivities, was approximately P7 million to P10 million.
Less budget is expected this year because corporate sponsors were enjoined instead of LGUs," Sanogal said.
"Panaad ever since was known to be a crowd drawer,especially the Lin-ay sang Negros Pageant. It is a good venue for investment and tourism promotion," she added.
As for safety and security measures, Sanogal said the Police, Army and medical teams at hand for any eventuality.
"There are personnel in charge of crowd control and traffic management. Although in the 14 years of Panaad history there was never a single case of stampede, we're still prepared and do not take things for granted," Sanogal said.
For his part Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Noppo) director Rosendo Franco said the 250 security personnel will come from the Provincial and City Police Offices, Provincial Mobile Group (PMG), Traffic Management Unit (TMU), 6th Regional Mobile Group (RMG) and the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.
Franco said the provincial police, with the support of the PMG, RMG and Army is in-charge of the security operations inside the Panaad Village while external security operations is assigned to the members of the City Police led by Superintendent Ronilo Quebrar.
Aside from the Police and the Army, Franco said medical teams and firemen are on a standby alert for any eventuality.
