Passi City eyes 2028 Palarong bid

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Hosting the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet 2026 is only the beginning for Passi City as it ramps up efforts to develop sports facilities in preparation for a planned bid for the 2028 Palarong Pambansa.

Mayor Stephen Palmares made the announcement on March 17 as the city formally opened the regional games, saying the initiative is part of a long-term plan to position Passi as a viable venue for national sporting events.

He stressed, however, that several key facilities still need to be developed before the city can formally pursue its bid.

“Our next goal is to build a swimming pool. If you are going to bid for the Palarong Pambansa, you need to have an Olympic-size pool that meets national standards, so we are working on that before we formally bid,” he said.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand sports development at the grassroots level, with the city investing in the establishment and improvement of sports venues across its barangays.

Passi City is hosting nearly 7,000 delegates for WVRAA 2026, marking its first time to stage the regional meet.

The event has showcased the city’s growing capacity to handle large-scale competitions while testing its readiness for future national events.

Among the major upgrades introduced for the regional meet is the 400-meter rubberized track oval at the Ricardo P. Palmares Sr. Memorial Sports Complex, the first of its kind outside Iloilo City.

Palmares emphasized that the city’s infrastructure program will continue regardless of the outcome of its bid, noting that the improvements will benefit students and aspiring athletes in the region.

The planned bid comes as the Palarong Pambansa is scheduled to be hosted by Butuan City in 2026, meaning future editions remain open for bidding.

In recent years, the city has demonstrated its capacity to host large-scale events, including the 18th National Scout Jamboree in 2023, which drew about 35,000 scouts and scoutmasters to Passi City.