LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) – The Cordillera region’s top-performing athletes gear up for the Palarong Pambansa following the 2026 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet.
The Department of Education-Cordillera (DepEd-CAR) said that as part of their Palaro preparations, the 2026 CARAA top athletes met with the National Screening and Accreditation Committee for interviews and assessments.
This is to ensure that the athletes and coaches are fully equipped, motivated, and prepared to represent the region with excellence.
DepEd-CAR Regional Director Estela Cariño emphasized that the athletes will first complete academic requirements before resuming their training for the Palaro.
“Most of it will be taken care of by each of the divisions. But certainly, the regional office will be monitoring,” she said.
Additional regional training is scheduled during the April school vacation to prepare the athletes for the Palarong Pambansa in May in Agusan del Sur.
On February 27, 2026, the 2026 CARAA Meet wrapped up with Baguio City dominating the overall medal tally in the elementary and secondary categories, while Benguet led in the Para Games.
In the overall medal tally, Baguio City led with 230 gold, 112 silver, and 69 bronze medals, followed by Benguet (64 gold, 96 silver, 91 bronze), Apayao (57 gold, 60 silver, 92 bronze), Abra (28 gold, 54 silver, 79 bronze), Ifugao (24 gold, 47 silver, 60 bronze), Kalinga (22 gold, 26 silver, 62 bronze), Tabuk City (15 gold, 24 silver, 40 bronze), and Mountain Province (10 gold, 30 silver, 48 bronze).
In the Para Games, Benguet led with 40 gold, 20 silver, and 12 bronze medals, followed by Baguio City with 13 gold, 21 silver, and 8 bronze. Abra and Mountain Province also earned medals in the competition for differently-abled athletes.
The DepEd-CAR also recognized exemplary delegations and schools. Baguio City was named Most Disciplined Delegation and Most Eco-Friendly Delegation Camp while Lucban Integrated School earned Best Billeting School, followed by La Trinidad Central School and Tublay School of Home Industries. **DEG-PIA-CAR w/ BSU intern Xyzza Luzano
