ILOILO City — Armed with its biggest-ever delegation yet and fueled by an aggressive push to climb from last year’s third-place finish, Western Visayas has set its sights on capturing either the championship or runner-up honors in the 66th Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur this month.
The region’s campaign, bannered by the theme “Stronger Champs,” will send a massive 1,023-member contingent composed of athletes, coaches, chaperones, and technical personnel, signaling Western Visayas’ intensified bid to dominate one of the country’s biggest school-based sporting events.
According to Hernani Escullar Jr., information officer of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6, 630 athletes from the region will compete in various sporting disciplines, while 20 more participants will showcase their talents in demonstration events.
“We are fully behind our young sportsmen and women. Last year, we finished third with an impressive haul of 44 golds, 54 silvers, and 58 bronzes. This year, our target is to adjust our aim to rank first or second,” Escullar said.
The delegation arrived at Rosario Central School in Agusan del Sur on May 17 and received a festive welcome from teachers and students through lively dances and cultural performances, boosting morale ahead of the weeklong competition.
Western Visayas officials said preparations for the national games went beyond athletic training, with regional education officials conducting extensive inspections months ahead of the event to ensure smooth logistics and athlete welfare.
Cristito Eco, together with the management committee, visited Agusan del Sur in late March and early April to inspect billeting quarters, transportation arrangements, and competition venues.
The regional office of DepEd shoulders the uniforms, transportation, and meals for the entire delegation.
Escullar also emphasized heightened safety measures for the athletes during the competition.
“We are instituting comprehensive security protocols. Our priority is to safeguard our participating learners,” he said.
To further protect student-athletes, the region will activate its Learner Rights Protection Office before deployment to enforce anti-bullying policies and other learner protection mechanisms throughout the competition period.
“We want our students to focus on their performance without fear of harassment,” Escullar emphasized.
The 2026 Palarong Pambansa, dubbed “Palaro Tu Agsur,” will run from May 24 to 31 in Agusan del Sur. Officials said the early arrival of delegates will allow athletes enough time to acclimatize and prepare for the opening ceremony./PN
