In his speech during the opening ceremonies of the Panaad sa Negros 2009, Secretary Ace Durano of the Department of Tourism said that Panaad sa Negros Festival is the first and Provincial Exposition in the country.
Speaking in front of thousands of Negrenses and guests, Secretary Durano said the Panaad sa Negros Festival showcases all the best of the different municipalities and cities of the province. He said, after 16 years, there has been a lot of improvement in the festival. Secretary Durao said the Department of Tourism will continue to support the Panaad Festival.
The Panaad sa Negros Festival was chosen as the Best Tourism Event of 2008 in the Provincial Category by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP).
He also acknowledged another best product of Negros Occidental, the Mambukal Mountain Resort which continue to draw thousands of local and foreign tourists.
He said the DOT is currently working with Team Everest to develop Mt. Kanlaon as a destination for mountaineers. As the highest peak in the Visayas, Mt. Kanlaon has a lot of potentials in eco-tourism.