Agusan del Sur builds its way to Palarong Pambansa stage

ALL SET The Aquatic Center’s Olympic-size pool and twin grandstands with 5,000 seats and 400 VIP seats will serve as key venues for the Palarong Pambansa 2026 from May 24 to May 31. —PHOTOS COURTESY OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AGUSAN DEL SUR

SAN FRANCISCO, AGUSAN DEL SUR—On May 24 this year, some 18,000 athletes and sports officials from across the country will march through the grounds of the Datu Lipus Makapandong DO Plaza Sports Complex in Prosperidad, the capital of Agusan del Sur, for the opening of the weeklong Palarong Pambansa.

The occasion will mark a defining moment for Agusan del Sur and its steadfast commitment to promoting youth sports. By then, the province’s 30-year dream of hosting the country’s premier sporting event for in-school athletes will finally be realized.

In 1995, the provincial government, then led by the late Gov. Democrito O. Plaza, submitted a bid to host the 1996 edition of the national sporting event. However, the hosting rights were ultimately awarded to Soccsksargen (Region 12), comprising South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City. Despite the setback, the province never wavered in its desire to bring the Palaro to Agusan del Sur.

Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza, the late governor’s son, recalls attending the bidding in Lingayen, Pangasinan, where he witnessed the rigorous selection process firsthand.

At the time, what is now the DO Plaza Sports Complex had already been built, featuring a large grandstand, a track and field oval, a swimming pool, and a covered court. However, the track was not yet rubberized—a key requirement for hosting the event.

Despite this limitation, the complex had already hosted the 1994 Palarong Pampook Northern Mindanao, when Agusan del Sur was still part of Region 10.

Pledge

Jesus Roy Sagrado, a public information officer in the provincial government, says then-governor Plaza was driven to pursue the hosting rights after the Department of Education pledged P200 million for the development and upgrading of sports facilities for the host province.

Sagrado adds that the late provincial administrator Tyrone Power Calo, one of Plaza’s most trusted aides, played a key role in the campaign by aggressively promoting the province’s bid.

In 2019, the younger Plaza, then serving as governor, began turning his father’s vision into reality by launching a major rehabilitation of the sports complex to meet Olympic standards.

The most significant upgrade was the installation of an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) track, replacing the old sand and grass surface to improve athlete performance and safety. Synthetic grass was also installed on the football pitch to enhance playability.

The facility was later renamed the Datu Lipus Makapandong DO Plaza Sports Complex. With these upgrades, Agusan del Sur successfully hosted the 2024 Caraga Regional Athletic Games, signaling its readiness for the Palarong Pambansa 2026.

Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. delivers his acceptance speech in last year’s closing ceremonies in Vigan, Ilocos Norte. —PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM EDDIEBONG FACEBOOK PAGE

Caraga athletes undergo rigorous training at the Sports Complex. —PHOTO COURTESY OF REAL JOY SOMBRIO

Lasting benefits

Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. says hosting the Palaro has brought the province into the national spotlight, helping accelerate long-delayed infrastructure projects such as the Maharlika Highway, which is now nearing completion.

He adds that preparations for the games led to the rehabilitation of school buildings used as billeting quarters, leaving lasting benefits for students and communities. The expected influx of visitors is also seen to boost tourism and local economic activity.

Cane notes that the upgraded facilities position Agusan del Sur to host future national and even international competitions, strengthening its potential as a sports tourism hub.

Since the 1990s, the province has also made significant economic gains, including moving out of the list of the country’s poorest provinces.

The successful bid to host the 2026 Palaro was attributed to improved sports infrastructure, better transport connectivity and strong local government support.

This year’s edition, dubbed “Palaro Tu AgSur,” uses a Manobo term meaning Palaro in Agusan del Sur and carries the theme “Unlocking the Future through Sports.”

Provincial engineer Linda Buquir says the government invested P1.7 billion over the years to upgrade facilities within the 138-hectare government center, with the sports complex as the main venue.

Of this, P700 million was used for major rehabilitation, while P1 billion funded the construction of additional facilities, now covering 24 of the 40 required venues. The remaining events will be held in nearby towns, including Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario, Esperanza, Bunawan and Bayugan City.

New facilities include an air-conditioned basketball gym, a second grandstand, an Olympic-size swimming pool, multipurpose courts and a renovated commissary building. Additional upgrades also improved accommodations and transportation, including electric trikes for athletes and spectators.

A former Palaro medalist, Cane has pushed for continued sports development and announced a P1-million reward for Agusan del Sur athletes who break national records during the 2026 games.

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