CEBU CITY — The host city has turned over the reins of the Palarong Pambansa to Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc of Ilocos Norte, where the 2025 games will be held.

Manotoc arrived in Cebu City on Monday to also observe and take notes on how the city is hosting the Palarong Pambansa.

Acknowledging that Ilocos Norte is "not as developed as Cebu," the governor aims to host the national sporting event in a unique and memorable way.

"We are here, originally, to accept the hosting rights for Palaro during the closing ceremony," said Manotoc, adding that his team has taken notes on the logistics and operations of holding the games.

He also visited four playing venues on Monday.

Manotoc said Ilocos Norte lacks the lavish infrastructure and large venues seen in Cebu City, but he is determined to make it work.

He expressed optimism and excitement for hosting the games next year, viewing it as an opportunity to promote sports tourism.

He is pushing to establish Ilocos Norte as the sports tourism hub in the north, aiming to provide not only venues for various sporting events but also tourism activities for athletes and their families.

In July last year, Ilocos Norte began campaigning to host the Palarong Pambansa for the first time since 1968.

Manotoc also promised that their hosting will incorporate the identity and essence of Ilocano hospitality.

Additionally, Manotoc said he is aware of the ongoing issue regarding the measurement of the oval track here but declined to comment.

The distance of the track oval at the Cebu City Sports Complex was measured at 398 meters, two meters short of the international standard of 400 meters.

For their part, they will closely coordinate with Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association to ensure that the measurement of their oval track complies with international norms.

Meanwhile, the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in 2026 will be assigned to a local government unit (LGU) in Mindanao, in accordance with its agreed rotation.

Adolf Aguilar, assistant division schools superintendent of Cebu City of the Department of Education, said that after Cebu's hosting for Visayas and the 2025 hosting of Ilocos Norte for Luzon, the baton will be passed to Mindanao.

Currently, three LGUs have expressed intentions to host the 2026 games. These are Zamboanga City, Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental.

Many officials in earlier interviews said hosting the Palarong Pambansa is a significant opportunity for any region to boost local tourism and economy.

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