PUERTO Princesa City is setting its sights on becoming the Sports Capital of the Philippines, a vision strengthened by its partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and showcased during the three-day Palawan Youth and Sports Summit.
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio hailed Puerto Princesa’s sports program as a model of excellence, driven by the dynamic leadership of Mayor Lucilo Bayron and his city officials.
‘The sports program of Puerto Princesa City is worth emulating by other LGUs,’ Gregorio said. ‘You are truly advanced in research, development and implementation.’
‘You already know the benefits of sports tourism to grassroots development and tourism contribution to the economy. Mayor Bayron is your No. 1 cheerleader,” Gregorio added.
Beyond the summit halls, PSC and Puerto Princesa City leaders moved into the field to see firsthand the infrastructure that will anchor the city’s ambition.
Their first stop was the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF), where a sprawling 20-hectare site donated by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology through its Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang will become a home for several sports facilities.
The PSC Regional Sports Complex will rise with plans taking shape for a baseball diamond in partnership with the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and its secretary-general Mike Asuncion.
It will be complemented by a softball field, a football pitch and a host of multi-sport facilities that will serve as the backbone of the city’s regional sports hub.
The PSC team was welcomed by IPPF Superintendent Col. Edgardo Mendoza Jr. and from there, the delegation proceeded to the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex, a vibrant arena that pulses with activity across a wide range of disciplines. Indoor athletes train in sepak takraw, boxing, tennis, badminton, table tennis, basketball and combat sports such as wushu, taekwondo and arnis.
‘Puerto Princesa is ready to lead,’ Bayron said. ‘With PSC as our partner, we will build the future of Philippine sports here in Palawan.’
The complex also boasts a track and field oval, football field, volleyball court, swimming pool, archery range and baseball field, complemented by a PSC-donated gymnasium.
The visit turned into a celebration of youth sports as Gregorio and his fellow commissioners joined children on the courts and fields, underscoring the PSC’s commitment to grassroots development.
‘It’s always inspiring to see kids out on the courts. Less screen time, more play time, and along the way healthier habits, new friendships, and perhaps even a few future champions,’ said Gregorio, who later joined PSC Commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston in an animated Zumba routine at the track and field oval.
The tour culminated with the awarding ceremony of Puerto Princesa’s successful hosting of the World Table Tennis Youth Contender at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum, further solidifying the city’s standing as a consistent hub for sports tourism.
The event was organized by the Philippine Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) under the leadership of president Ting Ledesma and secretary-general Pong Ducanes.
In partnership with the PSC, the PTTF is set to launch a promising grassroots initiative that will see the donation of 240 table tennis tables to Filipino-Chinese schools nationwide.
The Palawan Youth and Sports Summit became a powerful forum the next day where national sports leaders and experts converged to chart Puerto Princesa’s trajectory toward becoming the country’s sports capital.
Gregorio opened the discussions by laying down the priorities and strategic direction for sports development in Puerto Princesa and the province of Palawan, emphasizing how the city’s advanced programs could serve as a model for other local government units.
His message was reinforced by City Administrator Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, who represented Bayron and reported on the city’s sports initiatives while City Sports Director Atty. Gregorio Austria presented the current status of sports development, highlighting Puerto Princesa’s readiness to host regional and international events.
PSC Chief of Staff Prof. Louise Jashil Sonido shared insights on leveraging social media to maximize visibility and engagement while Commissioner Gaston spoke about bridging grassroots athletes to elite sports through high-performance programs.
PSC Commissioner Walter Torres captivated the audience with his personal journey as an Olympian fencer at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in a no-holds-barred couch interview with Chairman Gregorio.
Torres detailed the discipline, challenges, and mindset required to reach the Olympic stage, embodying the PSC’s advocacy of ‘From Grassroots to Gold, From Gold to Greatness.’
As Gregorio explained, grassroots to gold is the journey of local athletes toward winning medals at the SEA Games, Asian Games and Olympics, while gold to greatness is the act of giving back to the country after those victories, building legacy through service and inspiration.
Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association president Karen Caballero shared best practices in advancing women in sports, while PHINADO Consultant Angelica Phoebe Mendinueto educated the youth on anti-doping, stressing the importance of playing true and clean.
Complementing these discussions, Sports Psychologist Dr. Rodel Canlas tackled the psychology of sports and athlete mental well-being and veteran sports journalist June Navarro addressed the importance of maintaining high standards in mainstream sports reporting.
The summit was organized by the team of PSC Chief Planning Officer Dr. Lauro O. Domingo Jr. with local city officials. On the final day, the delegation proceeded to the Philippine Paddling Federation’s (PPF) training center along the Iwahig River.
Already recognized as a world-class paddling hub, the facility has become home to national athletes in dragonboat, canoeing and kayaking.
‘This facility can host world-class competitions annually. Puerto Princesa has already proven itself with the successful World Dragonboat Championships two years ago,’ said PPF president Len Escollante. With PSC’s full backing, it is now poised to evolve into a regional training center capable of hosting global tournaments, further strengthening Puerto Princesa’s reputation as a sports tourism destination.