The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has allocated ₱2.5 million in financial assistance to the Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc. (NYLI) to support the implementation of youth-focused activities for the Panaad sa Negros Festival 2026 through the Handurawan initiative.
Governor Eugenio Jose ‘Bong’ Lacson led the turnover of the assistance, underscoring the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening youth participation in one of Negros Occidental’s flagship cultural events.
The fund was received by the NYLI Executive Director, Kevin Gaitan, and the Program Director, Jomar Borromeo.
NYLI will spearhead the implementation of Handurawan, the official youth engagement initiative of this year’s festival. The program aims to position young people in Negros at the forefront of cultural celebration by providing platforms for creative expression, leadership development, and civic engagement.
Handurawan is designed to bridge tradition and contemporary youth experience through a series of cultural, educational, and community-based activities that highlight identity, heritage, and active participation.
The initiative also recently received the formal backing of the Provincial Youth Development Council (PYDC), which approved a strategic partnership with NYLI and youth organizations to help position Handurawan as a platform for youth-led cultural stewardship during this year’s festival.
With this, the institute will be able to expand opportunities for young people to engage meaningfully in the festival and contribute to community-building efforts across the province.
The Panaad sa Negros Festival 2026 is scheduled from April 13 to 19, bringing together communities across Negros Occidental in a week-long celebration of culture, history, and shared identity.