Officials lead festival opening with a livestock fair

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Top officials from the Negros Occidental provincial government marked the opening of the 25th Panaad sa Negros Festival with a livestock fair last Saturday morning.

The six Negros Occidental congressional districts marked the opening with a lechon parade, prepared by various hog raising associations.

In his speech, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. said ever since the festival’s establishment 25 years ago, the province has come a long way

He said the province is currently recognized as the top producer of free range chickens, backyard-raised pork, and dairy products in the entire country.

Marañon said the provincial government is prioritizing its support for livestock raising due to the large income it provides for operators and businessmen.

The governor also stated the province has become the top producer of lamb meat in the country.

“The quality of our produce can compete not just locally, but internationally,” he said; noting visiting Australians are amazed by the quality of lamb meat being produced in the province, claiming it is “fatter and softer” than those produced in their home country.

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile, said the livestock fair is one of the festival’s main highlights as it gives thanks to local livestock farmers, adding they are the festival’s “top superstars.”

He also revealed the fair would also host its very first livestock auction event, in which farmers would have the opportunity to buy livestock at very affordable price, eliminating the “middleman,” and ensuring farmers would get their money’s worth./DGB, WDJ