BUTUAN CITY – Following the successful staging of the 65th Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte, the national student-athlete tournament is set to make its way south as Agusan del Sur has been named the official host for the 66th edition in 2026.
Governor Santiago Cane formally accepted the hosting responsibilities during the event’s closing ceremony held Saturday at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
In his speech, Cane emphasized the province’s preparedness and commitment to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and memorable event for athletes and delegates from across the country.
Highlighting the province’s long-standing aspiration to host the prestigious games, Cane noted that Agusan del Sur has been upgrading its sports facilities and strengthening tourism to promote sports tourism in the region.
“This is not just a victory for the local government but a powerful source of inspiration for our young athletes,” he said.
Region 13, which includes Agusan del Sur, finished eighth in this year’s competition, earning 21 gold, 20 silver, and 43 bronze medals, while perennial champion NCR once again topped the medal tally.
