Legazpi City, February 23, 2026 — Around 10,000 student-athletes, coaches and delegates are expected to arrive in Legazpi City this week as the Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol opens once again the annual regional sporting event for student-athletes, the Palarong Bicol, scheduled on March 1–7, 2026.
DepEd Bicol Director Gilbert Sadsad said that the expected delegations will be accommodated in designated billeting quarters within the City where most of which are located near the event venues for convenience and accessibility.
This year, the Schools Division Office of Legazpi and the Local Government Unit of Legazpi will host the event. Director Sadsad expressed confidence that with Legazpi City hosting the event anew, the activity will be conducted in an orderly manner, taking into consideration the division’s successful hosting of the event for several consecutive years since 2024.
“With the strong and very supportive Local Government Unit of Legazpi and other stakeholders, we are confident that Legazpi City’s hosting of the event anew will be good, safe, and orderly,” Director Sadsad further said.
Prior to the scheduled opening ceremony, DepEd Bicol, through the Education Support Services Division, has conducted a series of technical conferences to discuss operational and logistical concerns, including security, health, safety, and child protection protocols for the athletes. The most recent conference was held at the Legazpi City Convention Center last February 20, 2026, with Education Support Services Chief Joan Lagata, Regional Sports Officer Dexter Sison, Project Development Officer II Maria Cristina Baroso, Schools Division Superintendent Danilo Despi, and AKB Congressman Alfredo Garbin in attendance to check on preparations a week before the event. The discussion that transpired focused on the readiness of playing venues, situation in vbilleting quarters including police and safety concerns.
Another concern discussed was the activity of Mayon Volcano, which could potentially affect the activities. While Legazpi City assured the safety of athletes in both billeting quarters and playing venues, the local government unit remains on alert for any possible impact of volcanic activity on the event should the volcano continue to show signs of unrest.
Both the LGU and SDO Legazpi expressed their commitment to ensuring the safe and orderly conduct of the regional athletic event, said Chief Lagata.
The opening ceremonies for the Palarong Bicol this year will be held on March 1, 2026 at the Bicol University Sports Complex which will highlight the parade of athletes, technical officials and guests, the Saludo or presentation of delegation as well as symbolic torch lighting. The event will also feature the Executive Larong Bicolnon which will be conducted before the opening day at the Legazpi City Science High School. Lagata explained that this has been a practice in recent years where officials play traditional Filipino games to promote and instill awareness of cultural heritage among the public.
Pursuant to Regional Memorandum 276 s. 2026, the 2026 Palarong Bicol will run from March 1–7, 2026.
Source: DepEd Bicol