The 865-strong delegation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) is seeing action as the newest contingent in the 66th Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur on May 24 to 31.

This is the first time the NIR, composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Bacolod City, is competing as the Visayan Vipers in the Department of Education (DepEd)-led national multi-sport event since it was formed through Republic Act 12000 in 2024.

On Wednesday, the majority of the Bacolod City delegation traveled to Agusan del Sur, passing through Cagayan de Oro City, after its volleyball, softball, athletics and paragames teams went ahead days earlier.

Figures of the DepEd-NIR showed that of the 865 delegates, 626 are athletes in the elementary and secondary divisions, and paragames, while the rest are coaches, assistant coaches, chaperones, and trainers.

In an interview, Bacolod City Schools Division Superintendent Dennis Develos said more than 30 percent of the NIR athletes are from this highly urbanized city, including 188 in elementary and secondary divisions and 14 in paragames.

“In team sports, my projection based on the previous records we had, softball is ours. Volleyball girls is very competitive, NIR is represented by Bacolod Tay Tung High School. Most likely, we can have a lot of gold medals,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DepEd-NIR said most of the 413 Palarong Pambansa delegates who experienced a delay at Cebu Pier 1 due to a shipping line system glitch and overbooking have already arrived in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday.

They included 308 delegates, of whom 279 are athletes and coaches, while 29 are technical working group (TWG) members.

The remaining 105 delegates, including 74 athletes and coaches and 31 TWG members, have been prioritized for departure on Wednesday night.

“DepEd-NIR assures all stakeholders that the safety, comfort, and morale of our entire delegation remain our top priority,” it said in a statement. (PNA)