AGUSAN del Sur is all set to host the 2026 Palarong Pambansa from May 24 to 31.
The annual sporting event is expected to draw over 10,000 delegates from the country’s 18 regions as student athletes vie for medals in 35 sports disciplines.
Aside from the regular sports like athletics, swimming, basketball, volleyball and combat sports, three disciplines — dancesports, pencak silat and weightlifting — have been elevated to regular sports status for this year’s games.
Palarong Pambansa organizers also announced that delegates, spectators and student athletes may avail free rides through designated e-buses and tricycles stationed in Bayugan City and the municipalities of Bunawan, Esperanza, Talacogon, Prosperidad and San Francisco.
The local government unit of Agusan will also hold complimentary tours to several tourist destinations and cultural landmarks across Agusan del Sur and neighboring Surigao del Sur.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara, meanwhile, aims to give delegates and athletes an invaluable experience, aside from the competition proper.
“These efforts remind our young athletes that every competition is also an opportunity to discover new places, cultures, and stories while building friendships and discipline through sports,” he said in a press release.
In last year’s edition of the Palarong Pambansa held in Ilocos Norte, the National Capital Region bagged its 18th consecutive overall championship after tallying 117 golds, 70 silvers and 50 bronzes.
NCR’s gold came mostly from gymnastics (36 golds) and swimming (19 golds).
Region 4A (Calabarzon) bagged second place with a 47-68-66 medal haul followed by Region 6 (Western Visayas) with a 44-54-58 medal tally.
The province of Agusan del Sur looks to also top the swimming and athletics categories as it displayed its dominance in the 2026 Caraga Regional Athletic Games (CRAG).
Agusan swimming team finished with 41 gold medals in the 2026 CRAG, while the track and field team notched 33 gold medals.