The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), led by Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, held a coordination meeting with the Bacolod City government and key agencies on Wednesday, October 28, to finalize plans for Batang Pinoy 2026 — the country’s flagship national youth multi‑sport competition set for December 12‑18.
Gregorio noted the special bond between the tournament and the City of Smiles as preparations get underway for its much‑anticipated return, a press release from the Bacolod City Government Center said.
“This is not just a simple hosting. This is a hosting to excite the Filipino youth. This one is our gift for them,” Gregorio said, adding he expects hotels and other accommodation facilities to be fully occupied during the event.
With preparations now in full swing, Bacolod City under Mayor Greg Gasataya is set to welcome 35,894 delegates representing 207 participating local government units (LGUs).
Official PSC figures break down the expected turnout into 27,763 athletes, 6,144 coaches, and 1,987 delegation officials.
The event will also feature the first‑ever simultaneous Metro Manila Film Festival “Parade of Stars”, an added highlight for the city’s hosting lineup.
The coordination gathering took place at L’Fisher Hotel, where city department heads, working committee members, and Bacolod City Police Office representatives went over logistics, venue security, and on‑site arrangements for the games.
Gasataya pointed to Bacolod’s track record of staging major sports competitions this year as it gets ready to host the national event, noting it has been roughly 20 years since the city last hosted Batang Pinoy.
“This year, we hosted the first‑ever Negros Island Regional Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM). Then, last May, we co‑hosted the National PRISAA with the province and STI West Negros University, followed by the FIBA U18 tournament last June. We know that it has been around 20 years since Bacolod last hosted Batang Pinoy,” Gasataya said.
“To everyone, thank you, especially to the PSC, for guiding us, helping us, and teaching us how to make Batang Pinoy 2026 successful,” he added.
The meeting formalized the city’s local delegation leadership: Councilor Jason Villarosa will serve as head of delegation, with City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo as assistant head of delegation.
The pair will oversee coordinated preparations for Bacolod’s home athletes and align local plans with the national organizing committee.
Technical teams also reviewed the PSC’s Batang Pinoy Games Management System (GMS) — a centralized online platform meant to speed up registration, athlete validation, ID‑making, billeting, financial processing, and competition scheduling.
Meanwhile, PCol. Eugene Rebadomia. Bacolod City Police Office director, presented security deployment and contingency plans covering competition venues, billeting hubs, and transport routes, to safeguard athletes, coaches, officials, and guests for the duration of the games.
These preparations underscore the Gasataya administration’s goal to establish Bacolod as a top sports‑tourism destination in the country, the press release said.*
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