The Provincial Government has turned over the new Schools Division Office (SDO) Training Center at Iba Elementary School in the capital town of Iba, Zambales, on 11 November 2025, aiming to strengthen the province’s education sector and grassroots sports development.

Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., OIC-SDS William Roderick R. Fallorin, Assistant SDS Alberto M. Otchengco Jr., and other officials of DepEd-Zambales led the turnover ceremony.

Rev. Fr. Manuel A. Ebuengan of St. Augustine Cathedral officiated the blessing of the new SDO Training Center, formally opening the facility to teachers and student-athletes of Zambales.

According to Ebdane, the new center will serve as a home for teachers, non-teaching staff, and Zambaleño athletes—a place for training, meetings, and skill development.

He said the Provincial Government continues to implement projects that promote quality education, boost teacher capacity, and support young athletes—investments, he noted, that ensure “a better future for every Zambaleño.”

The Schools Division of Zambales reported a total of 5,813 teaching personnel in public elementary and high schools for the 2023–2024 school year.

While many student-athletes from Zambales compete successfully in regional and national events such as the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) and the Palarong Pambansa, the province has also produced several professional and Olympic-level athletes—mostly in basketball.

The province actively supports youth sports in volleyball, athletics, sepak takraw, taekwondo, and boxing through local competitions and incentive programs for regional, national, and international winners.