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BY MAE SINGUAY
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Monday, April 24, 2017
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BACOLOD City – Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. is pushing for agricultural diversification in Negros Occidental.
The governor plans to further improve the province’s agriculture, pointing out that the Philippines is an “agricultural country.”
But Negros Occidental needs to go beyond sugar for being a “mono-crop” province is “not safe,” Marañon told the press in a news conference after the opening ceremonies for the 24th Panaad sa Negros on April 22.
“Ever since, Negros has been known for its sugar,” he said, “[but] we are trying to diversify [into] cattle-raising, dairy, rice farming, poultry, and swine.”
Panaad sa Negros is being held at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan.
Interior undersecretary Jesus V. Hinlo Jr. and Tourism undersecretary Silvino Tejada graced the opening ceremonies.
Meanwhile Marañon also emphasized the importance of tourism, which he said has a “multiplier effect” on other industries.
In this year’s Panaad, capitol is expecting a 20-percent increase in tourists from last year’s, especially that the city government is also hosting various summer conventions, said the governor.
Panaad sa Negros is called the “festival of festivals” because it allows revelers to experience festivities across Negros Occidental in just one venue, Marañon said.
“This is the only festival (in Negros Occidental) where all local government units participate,” said the governor.
Moises Padilla town and La Carlota City are not participating in the festival. The former will not open its pavilion or join any competition, while the latter will only open its pavilion./PN
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