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BAYUGAN CITY, August 06, 2025—𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗺 𝗟𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝘆𝗺𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗔𝗴𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮, 𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

The conference began with heartfelt and powerful messages from Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane Jr. and 2nd District Representative Adolph Edward "Eddiebong" Plaza, both of whom reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the successful hosting of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa. In a deeply emotional address, Cong. Plaza shared that this hosting is a "dream come true" for his late father, underscoring the profound personal and cultural significance of the event for the province.

Setting the tone for the conference, OIC-Undersecretary Malcom S. Garma of the Department of Education outlined the statement of purpose for the multi-day gathering.

The Post 2025 Palarong Pambansa Conference serves as a strategic platform for reflection, learning, and planning. It aims to assess the overall implementation of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, which was successfully hosted by Ilocos Norte, by drawing from the collective experiences, best practices, and insights of participating regions and core committees.

Through this forum, DepEd seeks to identify effective operational strategies, highlight areas for improvement, and develop evidence-based recommendations to ensure an even more efficient, inclusive, and impactful staging in 2026. Anchored in collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement, the conference also strengthens inter-regional partnerships and reaffirms the Department's commitment to sporting excellence and the holistic development of the Filipino learner.

The heart of Day 1's Session 1 centered on the presentation of committee reports. Delegates from all participating regions shared comprehensive accounts of their athletic performance, logistical experiences, and key takeaways from the 2025 games. These reports revealed both notable successes and areas of concern, forming a valuable foundation for improvement.

Core committees followed with detailed assessments, offering data-driven insights, constructive feedback, and practical recommendations to guide the next host. This emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement was a key theme of the day.

Undersecretary Peter Irving C. Corvera delivered an inspiring message. He urged all stakeholders to build on excellence, collaborate relentlessly, and prioritize athlete welfare. Commending Ilocos Norte's leadership in the previous hosting, he challenged Agusan del Sur to aim even higher, reinforcing the importance of continuous improvement and servant leadership in the management of large-scale youth sports events.

A significant highlight of the day was the sharing of seven key strategies by the Schools Division Office of Ilocos Norte, Atty. Donato Balderas Jr., whose efficient and seamless hosting in 2025 gained national recognition. This sharing of successful strategies was both inspiring and informative for all participants.

SDS Balderas revealed that their success hinged on the following: (1) establishing a solid steering committee; (2) assigning passionate and capable point persons for each significant activity; (3) implementing a well-defined communication structure; (4) empowering committee heads; (5) clearly defining and demanding accountability; (6) maintaining practical and operational checklists; and (7) consistently promoting clarity and calm under pressure.

SDS Balderas also pledged full support to Agusan del Sur, exemplifying the enduring bayanihan spirit that defines the Palarong Pambansa community.

To cap off a productive first day, Bayugan City Mayor Hon. Kirk Asis led a lively and well-received raffle, bringing cheer and excitement to the delegates. Prizes included 10 mobile phones and cash giveaways of ₱10,000, ₱20,000, and ₱30,000, reinforcing the spirit of camaraderie and celebration among participants.

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.

(Words by Jairha Anne Sususco & Jaymar Bulabos)

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