The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is intensifying its efforts to decentralize sports development across the country, with Ormoc City emerging as one of its key destinations for future national and international sporting competitions.
Backed by significant investments in world-class sports infrastructure, Ormoc is positioning itself as a rising sports hub in Eastern Visayas. The city’s rapid transformation has caught the attention of the PSC, which is now exploring opportunities to bring major sporting events to the area, including the prestigious 2027 Batang Pinoy National Championships.
PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio confirmed the commission’s interest during the Eastern Visayas Sports and Youth Summit, citing Ormoc’s expanding sports facilities and its commitment to athlete development as key factors in its growing appeal as a host city.
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“We have many sports events lined up, and we hope to bring one to Ormoc in the future,” Gregorio said.
“For Batang Pinoy, we will provide funding to ensure successful hosting. You will notice that 80 percent of our best athletes in our national teams are from the provinces. Our goal is to bring opportunities to them instead of requiring athletes to train in Manila.”
Gregorio’s remarks underscore the PSC’s broader vision of strengthening grassroots sports by making high-level competitions and training opportunities more accessible to athletes outside the National Capital Region. Rather than concentrating resources in Metro Manila, the commission aims to empower provincial athletes by developing regional centers capable of hosting elite competitions.
That vision aligns closely with Ormoc City’s long-term sports development strategy.
The Eastern Visayas Sports and Youth Summit, currently being held in the city, serves as a platform to showcase Ormoc’s growing capabilities while encouraging collaboration among local government units, sports officials, coaches, and youth leaders. The summit also highlights the city’s ambition to become the premier sporting destination in Eastern Visayas.
Representative Richard Gomez emphasized that sustained investment in sports infrastructure is central to achieving that goal.
WATCH: #Arnis athletes from Ormoc City showcase their skills in a dancesport demonstration during the opening of the two-day Eastern Visayas Sports and Youth Summit on Tuesday (Aug. 4, 2026) at the new Ormoc City Sports Complex.
Organized in partnership with the Philippine… pic.twitter.com/z4R3a6lMC1
— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) August 4, 2026
“We want Ormoc to be the sports epicenter of the region through proper infrastructure,” Gomez said.
“We hope that through this development, we will be able to strengthen the region’s sports program over the next five or six years. We are here to share everything because we want other towns to step up. We are not sending out athletes without proper training and support.”
Among the flagship projects is a PHP100-million track-and-field facility inside the new Ormoc City Sports Complex, which is expected to be completed by late next year. Once operational, the venue is expected to meet the standards required to host major national competitions while also serving as a high-performance training center for athletes from Eastern Visayas and neighboring regions.
The track-and-field facility forms part of a much larger sports infrastructure program that has transformed the city over the past several years.
Since 2022, the national and local governments have invested approximately PHP2 billion in the development of the Ormoc City Sports Complex. The sprawling complex now features a badminton center, padel courts, a skateboard park, and a convention center, creating a multi-sport destination capable of accommodating athletes across various disciplines.
The investments reflect a growing recognition that quality facilities are essential to developing future champions while also attracting sporting events that can generate tourism, economic activity, and community engagement.
Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez also reaffirmed the city’s commitment to pursuing its ambitious vision, emphasizing that progress begins with taking decisive action rather than waiting for perfect conditions.
“There is no perfect time. We only have now,” the mayor said.
“If the dream is so big, you will always think you have to get everything right first before you begin.”
With continued support from the PSC, national government agencies, and local stakeholders, Ormoc appears well on its way to becoming one of the country’s leading sports destinations. Should the city secure the hosting rights for the 2027 Batang Pinoy National Championships, it would represent another significant milestone in its transformation into a regional center for sports excellence and grassroots athlete development.
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