More than 7,000 delegates across the region converge anew as the 2026 edition of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) takes center stage February 22 with Benguet Province returning as host.
Twenty-eight sporting events will be played with 1,587 medals are at stake during the weeklong sports competition with bulk of the events to be played at the Benguet Sports Complex in La Trinidad including medal rich events such as athletics and swimming.
This early, defending champion and powerhouse Baguio City is a favorite to retain the title but host Benguet is hoping to narrow down the gap.
Department of Education – CAR regional director Estela Carino, who is also the overseer Benguet Schools Division said she is optimistic that the province and other delegates will step up against perennial champion Baguio who took home 288 golds, 107 silvers and 56 silvers.
“I really hope the medals will be distributed all over the different delegations,” said Carino. “We hope to perform better.”
Host Benguet, who finished second in the over-all standings with 79-106-88 medal haul will flex its muscles as it sends the biggest delegates with 1,038 composed of 636 athletes, 112 coaches, 40 chaperons and 250 officials while the Summer Capital will send 627 athletes including 110 coaches, 42 chaperons and 102 officials.
Apayao, which slid to third in 2025 after taking home 36-50-83 medals is sending 577 athletes, with 117 coaches, 11 chaperons and 141 officials while fourth placer Ifugao (25-38-61) is set to bring in 534 athletes, 90 coaches, 20 chaperons, and 136 officials.
Abra which had an improved 25-50-102 medals will field 570 athletes, 110 coaches, 37 chaperons, and 150 officials while Mountain Province (13-25-39) is bringing 501 athletes, 109 coaches, 32 chaperons and 123 officials.
Kalinga (4-25-44) will be composed of 481 athletes, 141 coaches, 2 chaperons, and 115 officials while Tabuk City (13-22-49) is sending 395 athletes, 87 coaches, seven chaperons, and 153 officials.
Meanwhile, Police Lt. Col. Zacarias Dausen of La Trinidad Municipal Police Station assured zero-crime incidents for the duration of the weeklong regional games.
“The mission of the Police Regional Office – Cordillera Administrative Region is to ensure a safe environment for all and a smooth flow of traffic. We will exert all efforts to make it a zero-crime incident,” Dausen said adding that deployment of more than 400 police personnel including force multipliers will be done earlier to avoid a repeat of a snatching incident recorded last year.
Aside from the playing venues, Dausen said billeting areas of the athletes will also be tightly guarded.
“We will be securing the billeting areas, and police personnel will be deployed at all of the venues to assist participants,” he added. Roderick Osis with reports from Kyla Macapanas and Juleana Sarmiento/UP Baguio interns