Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya (right) and City Schools Division Superintendent Dennis Develos (2nd from right) show the signed memorandum of agreement for the release of the PHP17.3 million in financial assistance for the city’s 2026 Palarong Pambansa contingent at the Mayor’s Office on Friday (May 8, 2026). Witnessing the signing are Councilor Homer Bais and DepEd-Bacolod sports coordinator Lila Arro. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City Communications Office)
BACOLOD CITY – The city government here is providing PHP17.4 million in financial assistance for its 286-strong delegation to the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur on May 24 to 31.
In a ceremony on Friday, Mayor Greg Gasataya signed a memorandum of agreement with Department of Education (DepEd) City Schools Division Superintendent Dennis Develos to formalize the city’s support.
“We consider this as an investment for the future of our youth. We want Bacolod to produce an Olympian, so we start by providing support from the grassroots such as this,” Gasataya said.
Of the 286 delegates, 188 are athletes who will see action in various events such as athletics, volleyball, softball and paragames.
They will be joined by 35 coaches, 11 assistant coaches, 16 chaperones and 36 trainors.
The financial assistance will cover the delegation’s transportation allowance, accommodation and uniforms.
Athletes, coaches, assistant coaches, chaperons and trainers will each receive PHP4,000 playing allowance, PHP6,000 food allowance and PHP9,000 training allowance.
“We have a lot of preparations. We are ready for this,” Develos said.
The first batch of delegates, including the volleyball and athletics teams, will leave on May 16 while the second batch, comprising the softball and paragames teams, will leave on May 18.
All the remaining athletes and DepEd officials will travel to Agusan del Sur on May 20.
The delegates from Bacolod City are part of the contingent from the Negros Island Region, along with those from Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. (PNA)