Agusan del Sur rolls out red carpet for 20 Palarong Pambansa delegations

Palarong Pambansa 2026 athletes of the National Capital Region were welcomed with a Manobo dance by the students of the host Agusan del Sur National High School in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. —PHOTO COURTESY OF AGUSAN DEL SUR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PAGE

PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Philippines — As host of the Palarong Pambansa 2026 on May 24-31, Agusan del Sur rolled out the red carpet for 20 participating delegations, showcasing the province’s hallmark of Filipino hospitality.

According to Dannah Rufalyn Buquir, provincial tourism officer, each delegation was treated to two roasted pigs at the welcome dinner, a proportionate share of beef, and 10 sacks of rice. Athletes also received Mandaue foam bedding and personalized kits to ensure comfort and convenience throughout the games.

Almost all delegations have arrived and were billeted in public schools across Bayugan City, Prosperidad, San Francisco, Talacogon, and Rosario, where classrooms were equipped with air conditioning, CCTV cameras, booster water pumps, Starlink Wi-Fi, and standby generators to guard against power interruptions.

READ: Over 10,000 delegates now in Agusan del Sur for Palarong Pambansa

The arrival of the delegates was met with vibrant performances by high school drum and bugle corps, band majorettes, and Manobo dance troupes, reflecting the province’s rich cultural heritage.

“We’ve worked hard on preparations for two years to ensure smooth operations,” Buquir told media staff from the Provincial Public Information Office (PPIO) and the official Palaro documentation team during a briefing on Wednesday.

Buquir noted that local hotels, inns, lodging houses, and homestays have been fully booked since last month, with the province able to provide around 4,000 beds. Parents and athlete chaperones had secured accommodations in neighboring towns and Bislig City in Surigao del Sur.

READ: Palarong Pambansa host town warns of scams, overpriced homestays

In addition to logistical arrangements, participants attended lectures on Child Protection Policy (CPP) conducted by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), emphasizing safe and respectful participation for minor athletes in school-based national games.

The CPP orientation, held at the Convention Hall of the Provincial Learning Center, was led by Youth Development Officer II Sarah Jane Escabarte, who highlighted child-sensitive photo and video coverage, responsible social media use, and protection of children’s privacy.

Personnel from the PPIO, led by Department Head PJ Dela Peña Jr., along with Buquir, reaffirmed the province’s commitment to ethical, responsible, and child-friendly media documentation during Palarong Pambansa 2026.

The session underscored the importance of informed consent, respect for children’s dignity, and avoidance of exploitation or harmful exposure, while providing safeguarding measures and proper reporting protocols to ensure that every young athlete’s achievements are responsibly documented. /cb