13/08/2026
NEWS | Echague gears up for historic ISPAA 2026 hosting amid 3-term calendar challenge
ECHAGUE, Isabela — Echague officially began preparations for what local and education officials described as a historic undertaking as stakeholders gathered for the Orientation on the Conduct of the Isabela Provincial Athletic Association (ISPAA) 2026 at the Mayor’s Office in San Fabian on Thursday.
The meeting highlighted not only the municipality’s first-time hosting of the province-wide athletic event but also the challenge of staging it under the implementation of the three-term academic calendar.
Municipal Administrative Officer Matthew Alindada expressed gratitude that Echague was chosen to host the major gathering.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat at napili ang Echague upang maging host ng napakalaking event na ito. First time ito sa Echague na mag-host ng ganito kalaking patimpalak. (…) Gagawin namin ang aming makakaya upang maibigay ang aming tulong para sa mga atletang Isabeliño,” Alindada said.
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Mary Julie Trus thanked the municipal government led by Mayor Faustino “Inno” Dy V for accepting the responsibility of hosting the ISPAA 2026.
Trus explained that the three-term school calendar requires organizers to avoid disrupting instructional blocks, prompting all major DepEd-related activities, including sporting events, to be scheduled in the end-of-the-term block, that is, in September.
“This is an extra challenge dahil sa implementation ng three-term; we cannot disturb our student-athletes during instructional block kaya lahat ng activities magaganap sa September, kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Mengal Festival dito sa bayan ng Echague,” she said.
Schools Division Superintendent Rachel R. Llana commended the strong coordination shown by the local government and partner agencies, saying the proactive support being extended reflects a shared commitment to the success of the event and future competitions involving Isabela’s student-athletes.
She also urged stakeholders to look beyond the provincial meet and prepare for higher-level competitions.
“We will not just prepare for our upcoming events but also let’s prepare for the regional sporting event, dahil alam po natin na maganda ang performance natin sa CAVRAA. Last year ang tagline natin, '3-peat', ngayon naman ay ‘Apat dapat,’” Llana said.
The orientation brought together local officials, education leaders, and sports coordinators to discuss logistical preparations, scheduling, and coordination mechanisms for the 2026 ISPAA.
