DAVAO City athletes and coaches will lead the campaign as Davao Region sends a 772-member delegation to the Palarong Pambansa 2026, aiming to break into the top three after a strong showing last year.
The delegation includes athletes, coaches, officials, and chaperones, with a 321-strong contingent from Davao City forming the backbone of the team.
Davao Region enters the meet riding momentum from a fourth-place finish in Ilocos Norte, where it collected 43 gold, 28 silver, and 36 bronze medals—an improvement from its 32-25-35 haul in 2024.
At the opening of the Davraa Meet 2026 in Tagum City in February, Allan G. Farnazo challenged athletes to push beyond last year’s results.
“The number of gold medals won by Davao City increased by 13.62 percent in 2025 compared to 2024,” Farnazo said, noting that 16 of the region’s 43 gold medals came from the city.
“This forecast is not only based on potential but on challenging the strength of Davao Region and raising the bar of performance higher,” he added.
Athletes and coaches have intensified preparations through a month-long in-house training at Mintal Elementary School and Mintal Comprehensive National High School that began April 17. They run high-intensity drills, refine techniques, and simulate competition pressure as they build toward peak form before the May 24 opening.
Support from the city government continues to fuel the campaign. Department of Education Division Schools Superintendent Rey Solitario said the Davao City government extended ₱6 million in assistance to help cover logistics, equipment, and athlete welfare.
Host province Agusan del Sur is racing to complete final preparations for its first time staging the national meet. Officials said the province has reached 97.25 percent readiness, with only finishing touches left on seven remaining venues and billeting facilities ahead of the arrival of delegations as early as May 13.
Organizers pushed through weather-related construction delays and rising costs of fuel and basic commodities, forcing them to adopt austerity measures while keeping the timeline intact. They also addressed logistical concerns, including high airfare costs for delegations, with the Department of Education exploring assistance for transport.
Despite the challenges, local officials expressed confidence that all playing venues and athlete accommodations will meet requirements before the opening ceremony at the Patin-Ay Sports Complex. MLSA
