This 2022 photo shows the state-of-the-art DO Plaza Memorial Sports Complex in Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad town, Agusan del Sur undergoing upgrade. | PHOTO: Agusan del Sur Public Information Office
PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR — After a failed attempt some 30 years ago, the province of Agusan del Sur has recently revived its bid to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2026.
But this time, it has a significantly improved offer of facilities and amenities.
Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. told the Inquirer that he and Agusan del Sur 1st District Rep. Alfelito Bascug accompanied Department of Education (DepEd) regional director Maria Ines Asuncion in presenting the provincial government’s bid at the DepEd central office last March 8.
A major highlight of the bid is the use as the main venue of the games of the Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Sports Complex in this town. Completed in 1994, further development of the facility was shelved after the provincial government failed to get the nod for Palaro hosting at that time.
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In 2018, then Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza began the upgrade of the facility, which was completed last year amid delays during the pandemic.
The sports complex now has a fully rehabilitated 3,000-seat grandstand, rubberized track, football field with artificial grass, an Olympic-size swimming pool, air-conditioned courts for volleyball and basketball, tennis courts, among other amenities. It also has a 24-room hotel.
The upgraded facility will be used for the first time on May 5 to May 11, for the Caraga Regional Athletic Association Meet.
Cane said that apart from tapping available hotels and accommodation facilities here and in nearby towns, they plan to use public schools to billet the 12,000 athletes from around the country.
Cane added that aside from Agusan del Sur, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga City have also expressed interest to host the games.
Provincial engineer Linda Buquir said the rehabilitation of the sports complex incurred a total cost of P713 million.
Cane said the Palaro bid aims to popularize the sports complex’s capacity to host large sporting events, even international ones.