BACOLOD City — The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported a peaceful and orderly celebration of the Pana-ad sa Negros Festival 2026, highlighted by a strong security presence and active cooperation among government agencies and the public.
An estimated 45,000 people attended the festival’s major events, reflecting strong public support and enthusiasm for one of the region’s most anticipated cultural gatherings.
To ensure public safety, nearly 900 personnel from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO), Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), and various National Support Units were deployed in key areas, including the Pana-ad Park and Stadium and other major convergence points.
Fire personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, along with other partner agencies, also assisted in the operations.
PRO-NIR attributed the smooth flow of activities to sustained patrol operations, effective crowd management, and proactive traffic control measures.
No major incidents or significant crimes were recorded throughout the festivities, according to Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson.
Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas C. Ibay commended Col. Dennis C. Wenceslao, provincial director of NOcPPO, and all deployed personnel for their professionalism and dedication.
He also expressed gratitude to local government units, partner agencies, and festival-goers for their cooperation.
“The success of this year’s festival was the result of careful planning, close coordination, and the commitment of every personnel on the ground,” Ibay said, noting that efforts covered traffic management, emergency response, intelligence monitoring, and public assistance.
Ibay added that while the festival task group has already been deactivated, law enforcement agencies will continue to apply lessons learned and strengthen partnerships to sustain public safety across communities.
PRO-NIR emphasized that the incident-free celebration highlights the effectiveness of proactive planning, strong police visibility, and inter-agency coordination.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and order, particularly during large-scale public events across the Negros Island Region./PN
