Philippine Sports Commission Chair Patrick Gregorio (center) and Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya (2nd from left) lead the signing of the memorandum of agreement for the highly urbanized city’s hosting of the Batang Pinoy 2026, at the main lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center on Saturday (May 9, 2026). This year’s Batang Pinoy games are set from Dec. 12 to 18. (PNA photo by Nanette Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has formalized its partnership with this highly urbanized city for the staging of the Batang Pinoy 2026 from Dec. 12 to 18.
Mayor Greg Gasataya and PSC Chairperson Patrick Gregorio signed a memorandum of agreement, in a ceremony witnessed by Commissioners Olivia Co and Edward Hayco, and Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella at the main lobby of the Government Center here Saturday.
In his message, Gregorio said this year’s Batang Pinoy is significant for Bacolod, which hosted the first edition 26 years ago during the tenure of then sports commissioner Monico Puentevella, also a former congressman and mayor of Bacolod.
“It is only fitting that after 25 years, it is back here in Bacolod. It is good to strengthen the collaboration between the PSC and the city,” he added.
Gregorio said that Bacolod’s move to position itself as a sports tourism destination is a step in the right direction.
“The positioning of Bacolod as a sports and tourism destination is a perfect combination. You can’t go wrong with it,” he added.
He said a study shows that for every peso spent on sports and tourism, PHP15 is earned in return.
Gregorio said that with the lowering of the athletes’ age group to 8 to 15 years old, the Batang Pinoy 2026 could draw about 15,000 delegates.
Because athletes as young as 8 cannot travel by themselves, they would come with other family members, which could triple the number of arrivals to 45,000, he noted.
“You can just imagine the economic benefits that sports can bring to your destination. Don’t let go of this opportunity,” Gregorio said.
Gasataya thanked the PSC for once again choosing Bacolod as Batang Pinoy host.
“The only thing we wanted to happen is for Bacolod City to produce the next Olympian. That is why we are giving our full commitment and doing everything we can to support our athletes,” he added.
This will be the fourth time Bacolod will host the Batang Pinoy, after hosting the inaugural games in 1999, as well as in 2001 and 2013. (PNA)