NEWS RELEASE|| 𝐀𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

PATIN-AY, AGUSAN DEL SUR-October 21, 2025—𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻-𝗮𝘆, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱, 𝗔𝗴𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿.

The meeting was presided over by Agusan del Sur Provincial Governor and Palaro 2026 Executive Chairman Santiago B. Cane Jr., bringing together key leaders, chairpersons, co-chairpersons, and focal persons from the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur and the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga, led by Execom Co-Chairperson and DepEd Caraga Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion, CESO IV.

In his message, Governor Cane underscored the province’s historic opportunity of hosting the country's premier youth sporting event, emphasizing the need for meticulous planning, inter-agency collaboration, and community-wide support. He stressed that the 2026 Palarong Pambansa is a sporting event that instills in our youth the commitment to nation-building.

Director Asuncion affirmed the full support of DepEd Caraga and called for synchronized strategies among all clusters to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the games.

The assembly converged the three core operational clusters of the Palaro preparations: Technical and Facilities; Security, Traffic, and Health; and Event Management, to align strategies, consolidate updates, and strengthen inter-agency coordination in anticipation of the national sporting event.

𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

1. 𝑇𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝐶𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟

For the Technical and Facilities Cluster, Engr. Linda M. Buquir, Provincial Engineer and Cluster Head, reported on the status of infrastructure developments and sporting venues, affirming that construction and rehabilitation efforts are progressing according to schedule. Complementing this report, Dr. Alejandro P. Macadatar presented updates on the preparation of billeting quarters, focusing on electrical installations, water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and the installation of booster pumps to ensure that athletes and delegates are provided with safe, comfortable, and fully functional accommodations throughout the duration of the Palaro.

2. 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ 𝐶𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟

Updates from the Security, Traffic, and Health Cluster were presented by Hon. Edwin G. Elorde, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member and Cluster Head, who proposed the merger of the Security and Traffic committees to streamline coordination and enhance operational efficiency. His proposal also recommended the inclusion of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as committee members, which was unanimously approved by the body.

Mr. Jave Nhoriel Bordaje, Provincial Budget Officer, detailed proactive measures to ensure that public transportation services remain uninterrupted and that fare increases are prevented during the event. He reported on plans to hire 500 vans to meet the transportation needs of all delegations. PCOL Jovito C. Canlapan, Provincial Director of the Philippine National Police, presented a comprehensive security plan covering entry and exit point control, crowd management, emergency response, and law enforcement protocols.

Additionally, Mr. Armando G. Valiente provided updates on food security, noting the integration of local suppliers. In support of food sustainability, RD Maria Ines C. Asuncion informed the body that DepEd’s “Garden to Table” initiative will be tapped to augment food provisions, with participating schools contributing produce to support the Palaro.

3. 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑀𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡:

The Event Management Cluster, led by Ms. Dannah Rufalyn M. Buquir, Provincial Tourism Officer, presented strategic updates on tourism engagement, ceremonies, designs, media relations, and communications management. She outlined plans to promote Agusan del Sur as a prime sports and tourism destination, highlighting the role of ICT systems and support services in ensuring the smooth facilitation of games, ceremonies, and related activities. The cluster also discussed strategies for stakeholder engagement and volunteer mobilization to ensure a coordinated and memorable hosting experience.

Following the cluster reports, new business matters were discussed, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and resource alignment in preparation for the hosting duties. The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from both the Provincial Government and DepEd Caraga to uphold excellence in planning and execution, ensuring that the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur will serve as a landmark event that champions youth development, sportsmanship, and regional pride.

For more information, contact (085) 221-1151, 0961-737-0873, or 0915-808-4734. Website: www.caraga.deped.gov.ph; email: caraga@deped.gov.ph; pau_caraga@deped.gov.ph.

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