![\"Department](\"https:\/\/sports.inquirer.net\/files\/2026\/05\/Presscon.jpg\")
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur\u00a0\u2014 In a move to expand inclusivity and showcase a wider spectrum of athletic talent, this 12 months\u2019s\u00a0Palarong Pambansa\u00a0will incorporate chosen\u00a0Para Games events\u00a0as exhibition competitions, officials announced because the national school sports meet gears as much as kick off on Sunday,\u00a0May 24.<\/p>\n
Education Secretary\u00a0Sonny Angara said the 66th edition of the country\u2019s premier youth sporting event goals to advertise a \u201cfairer and more inclusive\u201d environment by opening up opportunities for learners with diverse abilities.<\/p>\n
\u201c<\/em>We proceed to expand spaces for participation and recognize various types of sporting excellence,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Angara said, emphasizing that the inclusion of Para Games exhibition events complements broader reforms within the Palaro.<\/p>\n READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu opens<\/strong><\/p>\n Malcolm Garma, Department of Education Undersecretary for Operations and Secretary General of the\u00a0Palarong Pambansa Board, revealed that among the many Para Games exhibitions taking center stage this 12 months are sitting volleyball\u00a0and\u00a0table tennis, where student-athletes with disabilities will compete alongside regular and demonstration sports.<\/p>\n Garma shared the small print during a press conference Saturday on the Palarong Pambansa Media Center, situated throughout the provincial government center complex. He was joined by\u00a0Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane, Jr.and Vice Governor Patricia Anne Plaza\u00a0in addressing questions from media representatives.<\/p>\n In a press statement on the DepEd website, Angara said the introduction of those events reflects a broader DepEd technique to expand competitive platforms and foster inclusive participation across all learner segments.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>Through more inclusive categories corresponding to the Para Games exhibition events, we’ve got more opportunities to acknowledge and develop the talent of each young athlete,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he added.<\/p>\n Cane expressed strong support for Para Games athletes, pushing DepEd and Palaro organizers to contemplate including their medal achievements within the\u00a0official medal tally in future editions.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>Imagine a half-blind Para athlete competing in regular track and field events \u2014 this may make the national school children\u2019s sporting event truly fair to all,\u201d\u00a0Cane said.<\/p>\n Lately, the Palaro has steadily broadened its roster. This 12 months also sees additions corresponding to\u00a0weightlifting,\u00a0girls\u2019 football (secondary),\u00a0and\u00a0elementary girls\u2019 futsal\u00a0as regular events, alongside demonstration sports including\u00a0karate and kickboxing.<\/p>\n With greater than\u00a013,000 delegates\u00a0expected from across the country \u2014 including contingents from the\u00a0National Academy of Sports\u00a0and\u00a0Philippine Schools Overseas\u00a0\u2014 this 12 months\u2019s Palarong Pambansa is shaping as much as be some of the expansive editions yet.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>As our student-athletes prepare to take the sphere, track, and courts, these inclusive events reflect our commitment to celebrating every learner\u2019s capability, determination, and spirit,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Angara said.<\/p>\n The weeklong multi-sport competition will run through\u00a0May 31\u00a0across various venues in\u00a0Agusan del Sur, with organizers ensuring strict health and safety protocols alongside meticulous logistical planning for a smooth opening. INQ<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Department of Education Undersecretary Malcolm Garma answers queries from media staff through the press conference on Palarong Pambansa 2026 on Saturday. Joining him were Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane, Jr. and Vice Gov. Patricia Anne Plaza. PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur\u00a0\u2014 In a move to expand inclusivity and showcase a wider spectrum of athletic talent, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":339657,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[338],"tags":[52076,1610,601,19261,19262,28687],"class_list":["post-339656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-exhibitions","tag-feature","tag-games","tag-palarong","tag-pambansa","tag-para"],"aioseo_notices":[{"message":"The permalink for this post just changed! 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