DepEd Caraga Regional Office

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May 5, 2026 - 1 minute read

May 5, 2026 PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR, May 5, 2026 — The Province of Agusan del Sur received strong affirmation for its extensive preparations for the Palarong Pambansa 2026 during a press conference conducted yesterday, May 4, at the Provincial Research Development and Innovation Offic...

May 5, 2026

PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR, May 5, 2026 — The Province of Agusan del Sur received strong affirmation for its extensive preparations for the Palarong Pambansa 2026 during a press conference conducted yesterday, May 4, at the Provincial Research Development and Innovation Office (PRDIO) and via Zoom.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Leading the commendation was Maria Ines A. Asuncion, CESO III, Regional Director of the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga, who praised the province’s high level of readiness, systematic planning, and strong inter-agency coordination in hosting the country’s premier youth sporting event.

“Agusan del Sur has shown a high level of preparedness. With the organization, coordination, and execution demonstrated, we are confident that athletes, coaches, officials, and delegations will experience a well-managed and memorable Palarong Pambansa,” Director Asuncion said. She stressed that the event is also expected to encourage visitors to return to the Caraga Region for future partnerships and engagements beyond the games. “Let us give [all the delegations] the reason to come back,” she added.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱

Provincial officials assured the public that financial, logistical, and safety preparations were already in place. Vice Governor Patricia Ann Plaza disclosed that P80 million had been raised through the support of local and national partners to help fund the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2026. Governor Santiago Cane Jr. reaffirmed the province’s commitment to excellence, stating: “Nothing’s gonna stop us now from delivering the best Palaro.”

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Status updates presented during the press conference showed an overall readiness level of 97.25 percent for playing venues and billeting quarters. Most facilities are already completed, with remaining venues undergoing final enhancements based on the recommendations of tournament directors.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲

Emergency preparedness was also emphasized, with rescue and medical response teams designated at every playing venue. These efforts are supported by the Department of Health, Office of Civil Defense, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices across the Caraga Region, and patient transport vehicles.

Officials also confirmed the filing of a formal request for air ambulance support from the Philippine Air Force and the establishment of contingency plans for power interruptions, water supply concerns, and extreme weather conditions, including the deployment of generators, CCTV systems, Starlink internet connectivity, and trained personnel to manage operations as needed.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱

Organizers reported that transportation arrangements for all delegations had already been finalized, covering arrivals from ports and airports. Traffic control and security measures were established in coordination with the Security and Traffic Committee and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), with police marshals assigned to escort delegations between billeting quarters and playing venues.

All billeting quarters were fully airconditioned, while homestays had undergone accreditation by the Provincial Government. Officials reiterated that any reports of overpricing could be reported directly to the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) for immediate action.

𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱

Emergency response drills had also been conducted to ensure readiness across venues. Cleanup and beautification efforts were bolstered by the committed participation of the media partners, including private groups and associations to implement the measures in place for the Palaro, including the ban on single-use plastics within the Government Center.

To support sustainability initiatives, 18,000 reusable water tumblers were allocated for distribution to participants. The official icon “Palaro Tu Agsur” was likewise highlighted during the press conference, showcasing the culture, heritage, and identity of Agusan del Sur and reinforcing local pride as the province prepared to welcome the nation.

𝗔𝗴𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

With strong affirmation from DepEd Caraga, comprehensive preparations, and unified leadership, Agusan del Sur demonstrated firm readiness to host a safe, inclusive, and world-class Palarong Pambansa 2026.

By: Jezmarie R. Macuno

Public Affairs Unit

DepEd Caraga

END

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