By Anthony A. Araos
The time will surely come, when Baguio City and Benguet province are to jointly host the Palarong Pambansa (National Games), one of the nation’s biggest sports spectacle.
The time to push this proposal has finally come. Just after Benguet successfully hosted the 2026 CARAA in the scenic town of La Trinidad.
First of all, recognition of this farming town’s splendid staging of the CARAA is undisputable. I’m so impressed of the preparations of the provincial government and the Benguet schools’ division office for the five-day meet. Heartfelt commendations to Benguet. Gov. Melchor Diclas and Regional Director Estela Carino of the education department.
For thoughtfully rolling out playing venues in all but one (gymnastics at the Baguio City National High School) of the 32 events right there in Benguet, the province indeed showed its even ready for the big stage. Palarong organizers may well come up with an equitable, favorable distribution of venue sites for Baguio and Benguet. Frankly speaking, I see no problem at all on this matter.
The same is true with the billeting and accommodation requirements for athletes, coaches, trainers and officials (technical as well as LGU). Think about it, were talking of about 24,000 athletes alone from 18 regions. Where to house all of them? Again, I see no nightmare. Baguio’s hotel occupancy rate is likely to go upswing with a huge number of moneyed local executives in attendance.
Conversely, giving the tourism industry a bonanza of receipts. Make no mistake, this simply means generation of jobs. With this, comes increased incomes for a lot of people. The hosts offer several destinations for athletes and all other visitors. Along the way, they are likely to understand and appreciate the region’s rich cultural heritage. They’ll come for all the wonderful reasons in this world: Baguio’s chilly weather and popular attractions, as well as Benguet’s strawberry, flowers, vegetables and in great travel sites.
Not to mention the extensive media coverage at the national level to take shape before, during and after the Baguio-Benguet Games.
This is most helpful to sports tourism on one hand, and hopefully to spur growth and development and the other hand. Practically, a doable effort in a couple of days’ time. Oh yes, telling this and more to the public is no difficult task at all. All because people must be the truth in no uncertain terms: Baguio and Benguet are ready for the Big Event!
Baguio and Benguet have what it takes to show the country that they are in the position to prove that the centerpiece of sports development is nestled up here in the highlands.
Sports still serve as a deterrent to vices. Illegal drugs, gambling and drinking are menaces threatening the well-being of the young.
In 2025 and 2026, Benguet hosted the CARAA. A speaker during the opening program sounded out the possibility of staging the games in Benguet in 2027, and forever. Time to level up. Time to think big! It’s just like to taking off old clothes and putting on new ones.
If a vote from Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas on this matter is to be pursued, an affirmative response would be carried through for it is a well-intentioned move.
Right then and there, I’m sure it’s a gold medal for Baguio and Benguet for hosting the Palaro. Celebrate the Palarong Pambansa in Baguio and Benguet.
Ifugao folks are hardly known for saying “thank you,” So, I’m expressing Thank you for Regina Sarmiento, principal of Puguis Elementary School at La Trinidad, Benguet. The Ifugao delegation stayed in the said school during the CARAA meet. In return, I am conducting a journalism workshop for the school’s paper.
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