Pacete: The promise fulfilled

BE AT Panaad Park and Stadium and see the best that Negros Occidental can offer. Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. invites you to come and celebrate with the Negrosanons what we showcase in our island of sweet surprises.

During the first year (1993) and second year (1994) of the festival, I was just a spectator as a teacher of Dona Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School in Silay. On its third year (1995), I was already the tourism officer of Silay.

Mayor Bigot Velez, Engr. Eladio Mondragon and Architect Juliet Gaston-Patosa sat down with me for the booth design. Mayor Bigot said, “Ver, I want something that speaks of Silay history.”

After the brainstorming, we came up with “lantawan bamboo tower” with hollow bamboo drums (“tultugan.”) The booth replicates the bamboo tower at Carobcob, the first village to be established near the shoreline (now Barangay Balaring).

The tower was manned by a village watchman who would beat the bamboo drum if the Moro pirates from Zamboanga would come to attack the village. The booth won first place.

In 1996, Silay brought the waterfalls of Patag at the provincial lagoon. Patag featured the flagship program of Silay City for ecotourism, upland farming and much was said about it as the “Last Stand of the Japanese Imperial Army” during the Second World War. Again, Silay won first place.

In 1998, the 19 municipalities and the 13 cities constructed their themed pavilions at Panaad Park in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Silay City government decided to have a pavilion that would speak of Silay as the “Paris of Negros” at the turn of the 20th century and as the “seat of arts and culture in Western Visayas” now.

The Department of Tourism declared Silay as one of the 25 major tourist destinations in the country (with Boracay) in Western Visayas.

Silay pavilion (until now) stands proud as a replica of heritage houses of Silay... the home of Cinco de Noviembre 1898 heroes, the hometown of best delicacies, the domicile of the “living iron dinosaurs” (steam locomotives), the place for the only pro-Cathedral outside of Metro Manila (San Diego Pro-Cathedral), and a local government unit that is now in the “Hall of Fame” as Most Outstanding Tourism-Oriented Local Government Unit in the Philippines.

Silaynons acknowledge also the best contributions of the past city officials.

For Mayor Mark Golez of Silay City... “the promise has been fulfilled” as he continues to traverse the road for more achievements and developments for Silay and the Silaynons.

For the Province of Negros Occidental under the leadership of Governor Freddie Marañon, Panaad Festival is a realization that the government is alive and it is brought closer to the people.

The local leaders believe that Negros First, the provincial development agenda have been realized and the fruits of the flagship programs have been incorporated in the Thanksgiving celebration and an exhibition of the best of Negros Occidental... now, more than just sugar.

The natural resources management has been very effective that we have preserved and conserved the gifts of nature to us. We have protected our land, sea, and air.

Economic development has been made visible with the coming in of business enterprises in the province. Our organic farms, cyber centers, and construction firms are doing well.

Good governance is taking center stage. This has been proven by our “Seat of Good Housekeeping,” “Gawad Pamana ng Lahi,” “Excellence in Local Governance” and more.

Our poverty reduction program progresses as the government embarks on supplemental livelihood program, backyard vegetable gardening, and strong entrepreneurship program.

Optimum healthcare has been reached with the establishment of the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP) in collaboration with the mayors and congressmen.

Our government hospitals are all service-oriented with the backup of our blood centers.

The strong support for education has been prioritized. A large amount has been allocated for the construction and repair of school buildings, and for a scholarship program.

Food security program has been planned well to help farmers produce crops for the Negrosanons. Communication and information technology provides young people new knowledge, new skills and more opportunities to be competitive.

Roads and other infrastructure projects make Negros very attractive to national and international investors. Our social services programs have been felt in the communities and our tourism promotion raked in local and foreign tourists.

These are what we promise to Negros and for ourselves. Let us all go to Panaad to enjoy the fulfillment of the promise. Mabuhay Negros!

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