Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya announced that for the first time in history, Bacolod Division athletes will bypass the Provincial Meet and directly advance to the regional level, solidifying the city’s independent standing under the newly established Negros Island Region (NIR), a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Division Athletic Association Meet on December 1 at the University Amphitheater of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos (UNO-R), attended by 2,978 delegates composed of athletes, coaches, and technical officials.
Gasataya confirmed that Bacolod will host the inaugural Negros Island Region Athletics Association (NIRAA) Meet in February 2026, marking a major milestone for the city’s sports development program.
“For the first time, all our athletes in Bacolod City will automatically proceed to the regionals and will not go through the provincial meet, as the city’s way to show support to our sports programs,” the mayor declared.
To strengthen the city’s campaign for regional excellence, Gasataya also unveiled a comprehensive support package for the 902 athletes who will comprise the city’s delegation to the NIRAA. The city government has committed to providing complete training gear, playing uniforms, and athletic shoes.
In another first, Bacolod athletes who qualify for the regional meet will receive a daily allowance of P300 during their intensive 30-day training prior to the competition — the first time the local government has allocated a budget specifically for athlete allowances.
“We have to give our best. That is why the city will support you in any way that we can, as much as we can, to ensure that Bacolod City will be the home of the next Olympic gold medalist,” Mayor Gasataya said, emphasizing the city’s focus on grassroots sports development and strengthening sports tourism.
Meanwhile, the city is proposing to the Philippine Sports Commission that Bacolod be designated as the Regional Training Center for Gymnastics and Archery, a move aligned with the administration’s long-term vision for sports excellence.
Running from December 1 to 5, the 2025 Division Athletic Association Meet serves as the primary selection tournament for Bacolod’s regional delegation. This year’s meet features competitions in 29 sporting events, with participants coming from eight districts in the elementary level and five units in the secondary level.
The opening ceremony was attended by key officials, including Carmeli Bantug-Zayco, representing the Office of Lone District Representative Albee Benitez; Councilor Jason Villarosa, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Youth and Sports; and DepEd officials.*
