BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City Government has allocated P17.3 million in financial assistance for the city’s delegation to the 2026 Palarong Pambansa and formalized its hosting of the 2026 Batang Pinoy National Championships, underscoring its commitment to grassroots sports development and sports tourism.
Mayor Greg Gasataya and Schools Division Superintendent Dennis Develos of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Bacolod signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday, May 8, covering financial and logistical support for the city’s 286-member contingent to the Palarong Pambansa, which will be held in Agusan del Sur from May 24 to 31.
The assistance includes transportation and accommodation allowances, specialized sports shoes, and uniforms.
A total of 188 athletes, along with coaches, assistant coaches, chaperones, and trainers, will receive a P4,000 playing allowance, P6,000 food allowance, and P9,000 training allowance.
“We consider this an investment in the future of our youth,” Gasataya said.
“Bacolod will produce an Olympian, and we start by providing support at the grassroots level,” he added.
The mayor emphasized the city’s determination to excel in the national competition.
“If we want champions, we need to fully support our athletes and let them know we believe in them,” Gasataya said.
“Bacolod City does not compete merely to participate. We compete to win and bring home the gold. March to the championships with your chins up. We are here to support you,” he added.
Under the present administration, support for student-athletes began during the Division Meet and continued through the Negros Island Regional Athletic Association (NIRAA) Meet, where Bacolod City emerged as overall champion.
Develos said the sustained backing from the city government is expected to motivate the delegation to perform well in Agusan del Sur.
“With this level of support, our athletes are inspired to win more gold medals, which is our goal in this year’s national competition,” he said.
A ceremonial send-off for the delegation is scheduled on May 15.
More than 600 student-athletes from the Negros Island Region and Siquijor are expected to compete in this year’s Palarong Pambansa, with Bacolod City leading the region’s campaign.
Meanwhile, on May 9, the city government signed another MOA with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for Bacolod’s hosting of the Batang Pinoy National Championships from Dec. 12 to 18, 2026.
PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio lauded the city government for strengthening Bacolod’s position as an emerging sports and tourism destination.
“The positioning of Bacolod as both a sports and tourism destination is a perfect combination,” Gregorio said.
He noted that the city’s food culture and hospitality make it an ideal venue for national sporting events and that sports tourism generates economic opportunities for local businesses and communities.
More than 15,000 delegates from across the country are expected to participate in the national youth sports competition, which will feature athletes aged 8 to 15.
Bacolod is currently hosting the National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) competition and will also host the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers 2026 from June 2 to 6.
Gasataya thanked the PSC for once again selecting Bacolod as host city for the Batang Pinoy Games.
Bacolod previously hosted the inaugural Batang Pinoy in 1999 and subsequent editions in 2001 and 2014.
“The only thing we want is for Bacolod City to produce the next Olympian. That is why we are fully committed to supporting our athletes in every way we can,” the mayor said.
Aside from granting Bacolod the hosting rights for Batang Pinoy 2026, the PSC is also exploring the establishment of a regional training hub for archery and baseball in the city, citing Bacolod’s strong pool of young athletes in both sports./PN
