Most Alvarez mayors
snub Panaad opening
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Almost all the mayors of Negros Occidental attended the opening rites of previous Panaad sa Negros festivals

But only 11 of the 32 local chief executives of the province were present yesterday, and Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr, who is challenging incumbent Governor Alfredo Marañon in the May 13 elections, was represented by his daughter, Rep. Mercedes Alvarez.

The 11 mayors, except for Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco, who is the provincial chairman of the Nationalist People's Coalition, are all supporters of Marañon, who is seeking reelection as governor.

Coscolluela, Zayco,
among those honored
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The annual Pana-ad sa Negros Festival has remained a crowd-drawer for two decades now, with more than 10,000 visitors, including a delegation from South Korea, attending its opening ceremonies, in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, yesterday, organizers said.

Former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael Coscolluela, who was among the Negrenses honored by the provincial government for spearheading the maiden staging of Panaad in 1993, said “it is very nice to see that after 20 years Panaad has grown into what it is today.” and cited the pavilions set up by local government units, among others.

Guv: Swine industry
will be 2nd biggest
BY LISA GAPAC

The swine industry of Negros Occidental will be the second biggest industry of the province by 2020 next to sugar, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said at the opening of the 20th Panaad sa Negros Festival at Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City .

Marañon said there is a big potential for the swine industry of Negros because local producers have started to export their products to Cebu, Manila, and to other provinces in the country.

He also said he believes it will become one of the biggest sources of livelihood in the province.