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DAVAO City Sports Development Division

DAVRAA eyes stronger performance at 2027 Palarong Pambansa

by Nova Mae Francas July 6, 2026

written by Nova Mae Francas

OFFICIALS of the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) are anticipating a stronger performance at the Palarong Pambansa 2027 due to the longer preparation they have with the competing athletes.

Maria Ines C. Asuncion, DAVRAA regional director, met with Mikey Aportadera, head of the Davao City Sports Development Division, to discuss the possibility of a partnership to develop the local talent.

In a statement on Monday, July 6, the Department of Education (DepEd) XI said it will establish a year-round training program to enhance the competencies of sports coordinators and training directors and provide specialized support for various sporting events.

“Through this collaboration, DepEd Davao Region and the City Government of Davao seek to develop a sustainable program that will better prepare athletes for regional and national competitions,” the statement said.

“With preparations beginning this early, RD Asuncion is already setting her sights on a stronger performance at the 2027 Palarong Pambansa,” it added.

Asuncion emphasized that it’s critical to invest in long-term athlete development, empower coaches and trainers, and create more opportunities for Davao Region to excel on the national stage.

“Every medal begins with careful planning, dedicated training, and meaningful partnerships, all in pursuit of helping young athletes reach their fullest potential,” she added in the press release.

The Davao Eagles secured 34 gold medals, 32 silver medals, and 34 bronze medals, making it the highest-ranking delegation in Mindanao and the third strongest region in the country at the Palarong Pambansa 2026 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, from May 24-31.

The Davao City Sports Development Division was the 5th Best-Performing Schools Division Office nationwide among 220 Schools Division Offices.

Among the sports that delivered medals for Davao City were Arnis, Basketball, Chess, Dancesport, Pencak Silat, Tennis, Swimming, Gymnastics, Volleyball, Wrestling, Wushu, Billiards, Archery, Karatedo, Athletics, and Para Games events.

While Davao Region’s standing surpassed its fourth-place finish in 2025, its gold medal haul is fewer than last year’s 43. Notably, DAVRAA bagged 28 silvers and 36 bronzes last year. The next national games, the 67th Palarong Pambansa, will be hosted by Quezon City in 2027.

July 6, 2026 0 comments

Athletic scholarship program to start in September – Aportadera

by Nova Mae Francas June 28, 2026

written by Nova Mae Francas

THE DAVAO City Sports Development Division is set to open the applications for “Atong Taga-an og Oportunidad ang Nangandoy nga Atleta” (ATO NA) athletic scholarship program in September.

ATO NA program targeting qualified, underprivileged athletes from junior high school through tertiary levels who will receive financial and academic support when they compete at the regional and national levels.

During the iSpeak forum on Thursday, June 25, Mikey Aportadera, division head, said the framework is undergoing finalization, including budgetary requirements.

“We are trying to polish everything as we have to allocate a certain budget for that,” Aportadera said.

He added that the division is coordinating closely with the Educational Benefit System Unit (EBSU) to ensure the program aligns with its existing system.

EBSU is the unit under the Mayor’s Office that handles the city government’s existing educational assistance programs, including the Scholarship on Tertiary Education Program, the Financial Assistance Program for Lumad, and the Medical and Law Educational Assistance Program, among others.

For the first batch, the program will offer 50 proposed slots for full scholarships, and more than 100 slots will be made available under the partial scholarship track.

Each qualified scholar may receive a maximum of ₱25,000 per semester or academic year, depending on their level and type of scholarship.

The order establishes two tiers: a full athletic scholarship at the tertiary (university or collegiate level) and a partial scholarship for tertiary, junior, and senior high school.

Full athletic scholarship in tertiary (university or collegiate level) can avail P20,000 per semester covering tuition and miscellaneous fees; and P5,000 per semester to cover sport supplies and equipment subsidies.

Meanwhile, the partial athletic scholarship for tertiary can avail P5,000 per semester to cover sport supplies and equipment subsidies, and the same amount for junior and senior high school, but for the academic year.

The scholarship grant is strictly for the matriculation, tuition, other school fees, sports supplies, and equipment subsidies of the student-athlete.

Aportadera stressed the scholarship is open to student-athletes regardless of sport, provided they have officially represented Davao City in competitions.

“As long as you have represented the city nationally, internationally, bringing Davao City with you,” he said.

Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte signed Executive Order No. 15 on May 5, 2026, creating the ATO NA program, recognizing the need to invest in human resources and cultivate skilled Davaoeños through scholarship programs for underprivileged students.

June 28, 2026 0 comments

Sports

Duaw Dabaw 2026 Trail Running event, organized by City SDD, Kinetix Sports, and Team Davao Runners

by Contributor April 16, 2026

written by Contributor

BY APRIL MARGRETTE ALNAS/UM Intern

THE DAVAO City Sports Development Division partnered with Kinetix Sports and Team Davao Runners for the first sanctioned trailrunning event, tentatively scheduled for June as part of the Duaw Dabaw 2026.

City sports head Mikey Aportadera shared that Calinan is the proposed venue of the trail run event, with routes traversing scenic areas, offering participants a new place to explore and appreciate.

“This is actually more about inviting people to come in and appreciate the city of Davao beyond the roads,” he said.

Grant Gutierrez from Team Davao Runners highlighted the event’s importance to the local trailrunning community, noting their excitement at discovering new routes within the city.

“I guarantee you, a hundred percent, it is a beautiful place. It’s far, but eventually, once the other runners explore it, the Duaw Dabaw trail run by the city government will be held. For sure, everyone will want to visit the place,” Gutierrez said.

Additionally, he added that the local communities and tribes are grateful for the opportunity to have their place highlighted.

Organizers anticipate around 3,000 participants for the event, testing their skills in four categories: 5K, 12K, 25K, and 50K, suitable for beginners to experienced trail runners, with a budget of ₱500,000 in cash prizes.

However, Aportadera said they might postpone their initial target date, stating the need for additional time to finalize preparations for trail mapping and overall event organization to ensure it meets world-class standards. He said the city sports division will post announcements on the details once they are finalized.

April 16, 2026 0 comments