By Mariela Angella Oladive
Nearly 7,000 delegates from across Western Visayas are expected to gather in Passi City for the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet 2026 on March 17–22.
The regional sports competition is expected to bring together about 6,965 delegates from eight Schools Division Offices in Western Visayas, including five provincial divisions and three city divisions.
Participants include student-athletes, coaches, chaperones and members of the technical working group who will facilitate the games.
As host, Passi City has started mobilizing preparations to ensure the smooth staging of the weeklong event, including heat-safety and energy-conservation measures for participants.
Leonerico Barredo, chief of the Education Support Services Division of the Department of Education Region 6, said during a March 11 press conference that most competitions are scheduled during the cooler hours of the day to reduce exposure to extreme heat.
Outdoor events will be held either before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Indoor venues will also be monitored to ensure safe conditions for athletes.
DepEd Region 6 has issued Memorandum No. 242 directing school division superintendents and their assistants to provide equipment and other support to help participants cope with high temperatures.
The regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee will post daily heat index updates on the WVRAA’s official Facebook page.
Event personnel will also undergo blood pressure checks each day before heading to competition venues.
Accommodation teams from each Schools Division Office have also been formed to monitor electricity and water use in billeting areas.
The Passi City government will assign personnel to oversee the proper distribution of utilities in venues and sleeping quarters.
Meanwhile, the city government has already sent off its 545-member delegation that will represent Passi City in the regional competition.
The delegation is listed as having 400 athletes, 105 coaches, 40 trainers and 81 committee members.
The breakdown provided by the city government, however, totals 626 members, higher than the stated 545-member delegation.
During the send-off ceremony at the City of Passi Arena, the city government distributed PHP 1,766,555 in financial assistance to support the team’s participation in the meet.
Mayor Stephen Palmares urged the athletes to give their best in the competition while also showcasing the city’s hospitality as host of the regional sporting event.
The WVRAA Meet will feature 16 events in the elementary division, including girls’ futsal.
It will also stage 25 events in the secondary division, including girls’ football and weightlifting for both boys and girls.
