Student-athletes from Naga City delivered a standout performance at the 2026 Palarong Bicol, securing the overall championship and ending Albay’s long-standing dominance in the regional sports meet. The annual competition, organized by the Department of Education (DepEd), brings together elementary and secondary athletes from across the Bicol region.
Competing against 12 other school divisions, Naga City finished the weeklong games with a strong medal haul of 77 golds, 60 silvers and 58 bronzes. The sporting event was hosted by Legazpi City from March 1 to 7, 2026, drawing participants and supporters from different parts of the region.
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Medal Count Secures Overall Title
The official announcement of Naga City’s victory came during the closing ceremony on Saturday at the Legazpi City Convention Center. DepEd Bicol regional director Gilbert Sadsad formally declared the city as the overall champion following the tally of final results.
Naga City also dominated the secondary level competitions and finished as 1st runner-up in the paragames, achievements that helped the delegation surpass perennial frontrunner Albay.
“Thank you to our athletes, coaches and trainers for bringing pride to our city. Thank you also to the parents, DepEd Naga, our public and private schools, ESSO for the support,” Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo said while acknowledging the victory.
Albay placed second overall with 65 golds, 66 silvers and 80 bronzes, while Camarines Norte secured third place with a 56-64-62 tally. Legazpi City finished fourth with 48-37-37, followed by Camarines Sur with 47-52-80 and Masbate with 46-28-45.
Sorsogon came next with 30-36-49, followed by Ligao City with 23-25-28 and Tabaco City with 21-26-28. Sorsogon City recorded 20-25-17, while Catanduanes finished with 7-12-30. Iriga City posted 4-7-23, and Masbate City concluded the competition with 2-10-21.
Highlights from the Paragames
The paragames category also saw strong performances from several delegations. Camarines Sur emerged as champion with a 20-6-8 tally, while Naga City placed second with 7-7-13. Masbate City completed the podium with 6-0-0.
The closing ceremony also featured the turnover of the BRAA flag, with Legazpi City Mayor Hisham Ismail handing it to Vice Governor Kruni Escudero during the formal ceremony.
Beyond the medals and rankings, the outcome of the 2026 Palarong Bicol highlights the dedication and discipline of young athletes across the region. For many students, the event serves as a stepping stone toward national competitions and future opportunities in sports, while also strengthening regional pride and community support for grassroots athletic development.
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