500 cops to secure 15,000 delegates for NIRAAM 2026

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has assured comprehensive security coverage for the 15,000 student-athletes in the first-ever Negros Island Region Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM) hosted by the city government here this year.

Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that more than 500 police officers will be deployed to ensure the safety of the delegates and other visitors during the event. He added that their security plan is in place following a meeting with the Department of Education (DepEd) and other concerned agencies on Wednesday.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said that at least 145 personnel will be deployed to augment BCPO security during the event from March 1 to 7 here and in four cities in Negros Occidental.

The augmentation includes 75 personnel from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and 25 personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, who will be augmented to the BCPO to strengthen operational coverage and ensure effective security support across all designated areas, including playing venues, billeting areas and other event sites.

The deployment will feature a visible personnel presence, strategic monitoring and rapid response readiness, with PRO-NIR working closely with local government units and DepEd.

Malong said that all necessary measures have been taken to anticipate challenges, prevent risks and ensure that the activities are conducted safely and without incident.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, has directed the BCPO to ensure security and provide enough personnel in all designated venues to prevent potential crimes.

Ibay also expressed his support for the event, which will be participated in by students from Negros Occidental, including this city, Siquijor and Negros Oriental.

A total of 12 provincial and city delegations will compete in the weeklong event, with the theme “Negros Island Region: Stronger, Faster, Together.” The delegations include Kabankalan, Canlaon City, Bayawan City, Tanjay City, Bais City, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Guihulngan City, Bacolod City, Silay City and the province of Negros Occidental.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan here on March 1 at 4 p.m.

DepEd-Bacolod spokesperson Education Program Specialist II RJ Paglomutan, in a radio interview, said they have prepared 12 billeting areas and 27 playing venues. Aside from Bacolod, the adjacent cities of Silay, Talisay, Bago and Victorias in Negros Occidental will also serve as playing venues.

He said that schools that will be used for the event have been advised to shift to modular learning for the continuity of education.

The city government has allocated a total of PHP 54.5 million for the event — PHP 24 million as financial support to DepEd and PHP 30.5 million for the city’s delegation.

Mayor Greg Gasataya led the send-off on Wednesday of 902 athletes, coaches and trainers representing Bacolod City in NIRAAM 2026. They received a cash allowance of PHP 10,500 each, with coaches also getting allowances. A PHP 2,000 Regional Meet Allowance was also announced as additional aid. The athletes have also been provided with essential gear, including training, competition and parade uniforms, as well as shoes and hoodies.

In a Facebook post, Gasataya said that the city does not compete to merely participate but to win. “March to the championships with your chins up, our delegates. We are proud of you,” he said.

He urged them to show that the City of Smiles is also the City of Champions. “Beyond shoes, uniforms, and training allowances, we are with you every step of the way in heart and spirit. Laban, Bacolod,” he said.

The sports events include archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball 3×3 and 5×5, billiards, boxing, chess, dancesport, football, futsal, gymnastics, goalball, bocce, para athletics, para swimming, pencak silat, pickleball, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu and cheerdance.

Silay City will host chess, dancesport and boxing, while Talisay City will be the venue for football, archery, sepak takraw and some basketball 5×5 games. The cities of Bago and Victorias will also host some football matches.

Gasataya appealed to the public and business owners from the transport sector, restaurants, hotels and other businesses to extend help and hospitality to all visitors joining NIRAAM 2026.

NIRAAM is the regional qualifying meet for the Palarong Pambansa, the country’s annual national scholastic athletic competition organized by DepEd. The Negros Island Region, administratively restored in 2017 and comprising Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, is holding its inaugural regional athletic meet as part of the qualification process that sends top-performing student-athletes to the national games.