Bacolod City was declared the overall champion at the historic first Negros Island Regional Athletic Association Meet (NIRAA) as the games closed at the Panaad Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on Friday, March 6.
Bacolod finished the meet with 162 gold, 101 silver, and 100 bronze medals, securing the top spot in the overall medal standings.
Negros Occidental was first runner-up with 147 gold, 148 silver, and 102 bronze medals, while Negros Oriental finished second runner-up with 33 gold medals.
Negros Occidental also dominated the para games and elementary divisions, while Bacolod City ruled the secondary division.
In the para games category, Negros Occidental emerged as champion, followed by Bacolod City as first runner-up and Silay City as second runner-up.
For the elementary division, Negros Occidental took the championship, while Bacolod City was first runner-up and Kabankalan City was second runner-up.
In the secondary division, Bacolod City secured the championship, followed by Negros Occidental as first runner-up and Negros Oriental as second runner-up.
During the closing ceremony, Bacolod City was also recognized as the host local government unit and host division of the regional athletic meet.
Several delegations were also recognized for special awards during the ceremony.
Dumaguete City was named the Most Disciplined Delegation, followed by Negros Oriental as first runner-up and Bayawan City as second runner-up.
Bayawan City won Best in Uniform, with Negros Occidental as first runner-up and Negros Oriental second runner-up.
Bayawan City also received the Best in Saludo Presentation award, followed by Negros Occidental and Dumaguete City.
Negros Occidental was named the Most Festive Delegation, while Bayawan City placed first runner-up and Bais City second runner-up.
For Best Wellness Space, Bayawan City topped the category, followed by Negros Occidental and Silay City.
Negros Occidental was also awarded Cleanest and Greenest Delegation, with Bayawan City as first runner-up and Dumaguete City second runner-up.
Meanwhile, Ethan B. Base of La Carlota City, representing the Negros Occidental division, emerged as the most bemedalled athlete of the 2026 NIRAA after dominating multiple swimming events in the secondary boys category.
Among his victories were gold medals in the 200-meter individual medley, 200-meter butterfly, 100-meter butterfly, 400-meter individual medley, and 200-meter freestyle, along with relay events.
In his message during the closing ceremony, DepEd Negros Island Region Director Ramil Uytico said the regional meet has already identified the best athletes who will represent the region in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur.
“We have chosen our Visayan Vipers,” Uytico said, referring to the athletes who will carry the Negros Island Region banner in the national games.
Uytico added that the entire region is hopeful that the delegation will “put up a good fight in Agusan del Sur and bring home the bacon in the 2026 Palaro”.*
