The Philippines fielded a 200-strong delegation of student-athletes, coaches, and officials at the opening ceremony of the 14th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) on Thursday, signaling the country’s renewed push to strengthen youth sports.

Led by Chef de Mission Dr. Miguel Angelo Mantaring, Director IV of the Department of Education’s Bureau of Learner Support Services, the Philippine contingent joined nine ASEAN countries in the annual meet featuring top secondary school athletes across the region. Serving as Deputy Chef de Mission is Cesar Abalon, Chief of the BLSS–School Sports Division.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara urged the delegation to embrace both competition and character.

The Philippines is competing in eight disciplines: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Swimming, Netball, Pencak Silat, Sepak Takraw, and Wushu. A total of 340 medals are at stake — 106 gold, 106 silver, and 128 bronze.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Pató Gregorio underscored stronger coordination between PSC and DepEd to elevate school sports nationwide.

The country aims to improve its sixth-place finish in last year’s ASG in Da Nang, Vietnam, with both DepEd and PSC viewing the regional tournament as a key platform for identifying and nurturing young sports talent while widening youth participation in athletics.

Beyond competition, DepEd continues to expand its school-based sports program, requiring each sports club to conduct 2–3 hours of activities per week, with at least one hour per session. The department is maintaining an updated list of clubs per school and will conduct surveys to determine campuses lacking organized sports programs.

DepEd is also strengthening advocacy initiatives encouraging physical activity during school breaks as part of Angara’s 5-point Reform Agenda on learner health and well-being.

Further collaboration between DepEd and PSC is underway to reinforce school-based sports development nationwide.