By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. has assured that the province’s P1.7-billion sports complex will remain useful even after Agusan del Sur hosts the Palarong Pambansa 2026 from May 24 to 31.
“We will not allow that after, the facilities here will just become a white elephant because we believe our sports complex will become a major sports destination not only in Mindanao but in the entire country,” Cane told reporters during a press conference on Monday.
Cane said the sports facilities built within the 138-hectare provincial government center were not intended solely for the Palarong Pambansa. He said they form part of the province’s long-term plan to promote sports tourism and strengthen local development.
The Datu Lipus Makapandong D.O. Plaza Sports Complex will serve as the main venue for the national sporting event for learners, accommodating 24 of the playing venues for the eight-day games.
According to Cane, the province’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa has placed Agusan del Sur in the national spotlight, drawing attention from the national government and visitors from across the country. He said the event also helped fast-track infrastructure improvements, including the near completion of portions of the Maharlika Highway, which had long been a concern in the province.
School buildings that will be used as billeting quarters for delegations have also been repaired and refurbished, leaving behind improved facilities that will continue to benefit learners and teachers after the games.
Provincial Engineer Linda Buquir said the provincial government allocated P1.7 billion from its 20-percent development fund for the construction and upgrading of Olympic-standard facilities, most of them located within the government center.
She said the province initially set aside P700 million for major rehabilitation works, followed by an additional P1 billion for new sports facilities.
These include a fully air-conditioned basketball gym with a wood-tile court and retractable bleachers for 2,000 spectators, a second grandstand with 2,000 seats, an Olympic-size swimming pool with touchpads, multipurpose covered courts, a rhythmic gymnastics gym, and a renovated commissary building with modern kitchen facilities and function halls.
Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza of Agusan del Sur’s second district said the hosting was a long-time dream of his father, the late former governor Democrito “D.O.” Plaza, who had pushed for the province’s earlier bid to host the Palarong Pambansa.
Jesus Roy Sagrado, Public Information Officer II, recalled that D.O. Plaza pursued the hosting rights after the Department of Education pledged P200 million for sports facility upgrades to the winning bidder. He also credited the late provincial administrator Tyrone Power Calo for aggressively pushing the province’s bid.
The dream began to take shape in 2019 when Plaza, then governor, launched a major rehabilitation of the sports complex. Completed in 2022, the upgrades included an EPDM rubberized track, synthetic football turf and other Olympic-standard improvements.
Provincial officials said the successful hosting of the 2024 Caraga Regional Athletic Games showed Agusan del Sur’s readiness for the Palarong Pambansa 2026 and its potential as a future sports tourism hub.
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