PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Vice President Sara Duterte are invited to the Panaad sa Negros Festival set on April 17–23, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz confirmed Thursday, March 23.

Diaz said that the provincial government has sent out invitations to the country's top leaders, and they are waiting for confirmation.

"Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer will be instrumental in convincing them to be our special guests at the Panaad Festival," Diaz said.

He added that senators were also invited to grace the occasion.

"If they give specific dates for when they will arrive, we will be ready for them. Plans will have to be made to adapt to their schedules," he said.

He said that Negros Occidental is ready to welcome guests from all over the country.

"Our preparations are 100 percent full speed ahead. So far, so good. Everything is on the right track. There has been no backlog as to the physical preparations, documents, and procurement that have been made," he pointed out.

As for security preparations, all concerned agencies met on Wednesday, March 22, and all the nitty-gritty details have been tackled, Diaz said as he assured visitors to the venue at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, of a fun and safe festival.

He said that the provincial government has not requested additional security personnel.

"There will be no security gaps. Everything is planned. The number of personnel is adjusted based on the expected guests," he added.

Diaz also said that a signal blackout may be unavoidable if there are national dignitaries. "This is imposed by the Presidential Security Group (PSG)," he said.*