DAVAO City athletes honored on Wednesday. (FB)
DAVAO CITY – The Davao City government and the Department of Education–Davao City Division honored on Wednesday, July 15, athletes, coaches, and chaperones of this city for their outstanding performance in the 2026 Davao Regional Athletic Association Meet and the Palarong Pambansa during the "Araw ng Parangal at Pasasalamat" at SMX Convention Center here.
Davao region was third overall in the Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, winning 100 medals or 34 gold, 32 silver, and 34 bronze.
Davao City athletes bagged 49 medals and earned the recognition as the fifth-best performing division among the country's 220 school divisions.
Davao City was the overall champion of DAVRAA in February.
Their performances underscored the city's strong showing in both regional and national school sports competitions.
As part of the recognition, the city government awarded cash incentives to medalists, as well as their coaches and chaperones.
Palarong Pambansa gold medalists, along with their coaches and chaperones, each received P15,000.
Silver medalists, together with their coaches and chaperones, each received P12,000, while bronze medalists and their coaches and chaperones each received P10,000.
For DAVRAA 2026, gold medalists, along with their coaches and chaperones, each received P10,000.
Silver medalists and their coaches and chaperones each received P8,000, while bronze medalists and their coaches and chaperones each received P5,000.
These incentives were granted pursuant to City Ordinance No. 0102-22, Series of 2022, as amended by City Ordinance No. 0239-23, Series of 2023, which institutionalized the Davao City Sports Excellence Incentives Program.
Basketball player and DAVRAA athlete Rene Baterbonia was remembered during the event for his contributions to Davao City's sports program and athletic success.
A song was performed in his honor, followed by the awarding of a posthumous certificate of recognition, which was received on his behalf by DAVRAA Eagles coach Jess Evangelio and the Baterbonia family.