P4.78M budget proposed for Kalinga Provincial Meet in December; Over 3000 participants expected to face-off in Pinukpuk

PINUKPUK, Kalinga — The Kalinga Provincial Government has proposed P4.784 million for the second phase of the 2026 Kalinga Provincial Meet, with the five-day competition tentatively scheduled for December 14 to 18 in Pinukpuk.

The proposed funding will cover sports equipment and supplies, meals and snacks, uniforms, technical and executive officials, medical supplies, and other operating expenses needed for the provincial competition.

The preparations and proposed budget were presented by the Provincial Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) during the Provincial Government of Kalinga’s Management Committee (MANCOM) meeting on Sept. 21.

Local Youth Development Officer I Johnny Dona-al said the second phase was initially considered for Tanudan based on previous discussions, but concerned groups later agreed to hold the games in Pinukpuk.

“Ti provincial meet, supposed to be in Tanudan, based on previous meetings, nag-agree da nga apan da agkuwa dia Pinukpuk. So, mayat sa ti resulta na, ti tentative date ket December 14-18,” Dona-al said.

P4.784M for games

The P4,784,000 proposed allocation is reflected in the LYDO’s Supplemental Project Management Plan for Provincial Meet Phase II.

The budget will cover the requirements for competitions including boxing, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, billiards, volleyball, table tennis, sepak takraw and chess, among other events.

However, Provincial Accountant George Ban-os urged concerned offices to first check equipment purchased or used during the first phase before making new purchases.

He noted that the first phase was held only in January and that most sports equipment remains usable because they are not consumable.

“Remember nga we just concluded ti phase I di January. So meaning, dagijay sports equipment ket intact koma dayta ta haan met nga consumable. Besides, ket, naka-care off kenni development officer. So meaning, presume nga dagita sports equipment ket adata,” he said.

Ban-os said an updated inventory would help prevent unnecessary purchases and ensure that serviceable equipment is maximized for the second phase.

Provincial Human Resource Management Officer Grace Kidang-Flores also suggested retaining usable sports equipment for provincial government employee activities rather than immediately donating them to schools.

She cited volleyball nets and balls, basketball and badminton equipment, and chess boards that could be used during employee wellness activities.

“In addition, may we request that instead of we donate it to the schools, for the equipment like volleyball nets and balls, which still usable, the same with basketball and badminton ken dagijay chess boards, dagijay mabalin nga usaren ket ti empleyado sir, especially every month of July, we fully implement ti wellness month. So mabalin nga kasjay lattan,” she said.

The discussion highlighted the importance of maintaining an updated inventory and maximizing existing resources before acquiring additional equipment.

Second provincial meet in 2026

The December competition will be the second provincial meet in Kalinga this year, following the first phase held in January.

Governor James S. Edduba said the unusual scheduling was brought about by changes in the Department of Education’s school calendar, which affected the province’s usual athletic meet schedule.

“Mamin duwa ti provincial meet tayo tata nga tawen, gagangay na ta diay kua ti DepEd. Nu next year ton maminsan ton ngem nu tata talaga maningduwa tayo,” Edduba said.

He said the province is expected to return to the usual once-a-year schedule next year.

The two-phase competition gives Kalinga athletes another opportunity to compete at the provincial level before the end of the year.

The first phase was held from January 14 to 17 in Barangay Taga, Pinukpuk, drawing more than 3,000 young athletes from the province’s seven municipalities.

Pinukpuk emerged as overall champion with 100 gold, 83 silver and 64 bronze medals, or 247 medals in total. Rizal placed second with 61 gold, 68 silver and 58 bronze medals, while Balbalan ranked third with 58 gold, 76 silver and 64 bronze medals.

Beyond the competitions, the first phase also gave Pinukpuk an opportunity to showcase its local products, handicrafts and cultural heritage.

More than games

With the tentative December 14-18 schedule, the LYDO and other provincial offices will continue coordinating with the Pinukpuk local government on facilities, equipment, supplies and other requirements.

The host municipality is also expected to prepare for the arrival of athletes, coaches, officials and delegations from the seven municipalities.

The second phase is expected to provide young athletes another opportunity to compete, gain experience and strengthen sports development across the province.

At the same time, the proposed P4.784-million investment will support the logistical requirements of the games while allowing the province to maximize existing sports resources and facilities.