Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio recently toured Davao, Iloilo, and Cebu to highlight the growing role of sports tourism in the country. Each city visit revealed how local passion, cultural heritage, and institutional support are turning athletic programs into major tourism attractions.

In Davao City, the upcoming UP Mindanao Aquatics Center is nearing completion, with final roofing and furnishings underway. The facility is set to become a regional hub for swimming, attracting athletes and visitors in a joint effort among PSC, UP, and DPWH.

“With the strong support of our partner universities in Mindanao, we are discovering more young athletes who thrive in premium training environments,” said Gregorio, alongside Chancellor Lyre Murao and university officials.

Turning points highlight community sports

The National Open for Sambo in Davao energized the city, featuring international experts from Malaysia and Indonesia and world-ranked athletes Sydney Sy Tancontian and Chino Sy Tancontian. The three-day event demonstrated how grassroots programs can spark local pride and attract global attention.

“When it is your passion, when it is the sport that you love, it deserves all the support and assistance the PSC can provide,” Gregorio said, promising continued backing for sambo programs.

In Iloilo City, the Visayas Sports Summit underscored the city’s potential as a sports tourism hub. With Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and more than 175 sports and tourism professionals attending, discussions covered coaching, sports science, and athlete welfare.

Gregorio visited the Iloilo Sports Complex and Barotac Nuevo’s iconic football pitch, praising the province’s deep athletic roots. At the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet in Passi City, he highlighted Mayor Stephen Palmares’ strategic sports tourism efforts and the city’s bid to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2028.

Balanced planning drives growth

Gregorio reaffirmed PSC’s partnership with the Department of Education to develop Filipino athletes for Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032. DepEd Undersecretary Peter Corvera attended the WVRAA opening, where 7,000 student-athletes competed for spots in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa.

The tour concluded in Cebu, where Gregorio emphasized sports as a driver of economic growth, wellness, and international recognition. At the Sports Tourism Forum at NuStar Resort, he unveiled initiatives including an international dragonboat tournament and expanded water sports events to attract athletes and spectators from across Asia ahead of the 2028 Asian Beach Games.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro welcomed Gregorio with the key to the city, signaling the province’s commitment to becoming a national training hub. Discussions included establishing additional regional sports centers to support both athletes and tourism.

Across Davao, Iloilo, and Cebu, Gregorio’s journey highlighted a unified goal: expand grassroots programs, strengthen regional training centers, and leverage sports tourism as a pillar of national development. These cities now offer more than beaches and heritage—they are arenas where Filipino Olympians may rise and sports tourism is reshaping the Philippine journey.