By Nimfa L. Estrellado Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan of Quezon Province and PSC Chairman John Patrick "Pato" Gregorio le...
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| Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan of Quezon Province and PSC Chairman John Patrick "Pato" Gregorio lead the ceremonial signing of the Usufruct Agreement on September 8, 2025, in Tayabas City. (Doktora Helen Tan) |
TAYABAS CITY, Quezon — Construction is set to begin on a new Regional Sports Training Hub here, following the ceremonial signing of a Usufruct Agreement on September 8. The agreement between the Provincial Government of Quezon and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officially designates a parcel of provincial land in Tayabas City for the state-of-the-art facility.
In a move first reported in August 2025, the PSC identified Tayabas City as a key location for its decentralized sports development program. PSC Chairperson Patrick Gregorio said the goal was to "give young athletes an equal chance of honing their talents and avoid them being taken away from their families," a core tenet of the commission's 2023-2028 Sports Plan.
This new hub is a launchpad for the next generation of athletes across the entire CALABARZON region. The facility will feature a track and field oval, a gymnasium, training rooms, and a softball field. This focused approach has a proven track record, having produced boxing legends in Cagayan de Oro and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz in Zamboanga City. The PSC's vision is to replicate these models nationwide, creating specialized training hubs tailored to the strengths of each region.
The Tayabas City hub is part of a larger plan to establish regional sports centers in strategic locations across the country. Other areas being considered or already in development include Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Clark in Pampanga, Ormoc City in Leyte, Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, and urbanized areas in Mindanao like Bukidnon and General Santos City. There are also plans for a water sports training center in Siargao.
The PSC's national strategy includes a focus on leveraging each region's natural advantages and existing sports culture. For instance, the proposed hub in Siargao will capitalize on the island's reputation as a world-class surfing destination, providing a dedicated facility to develop surfers and other water sports athletes. This comprehensive approach aims to create a nationwide network of training facilities, each specializing in a particular sport to maximize development and ensure a steady stream of talent for national teams.
The project is a cornerstone of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s legacy, directly fulfilling his promise to ignite a new national sports program. His administration has adopted a "whole-of-government" approach to sports development, aiming to identify and nurture athletic talent at the grassroots level. In his July 28, 2025 State of the Nation Address, he committed to bringing back sports clubs and intramurals to all public schools to strengthen the talent pipeline.
The President’s agenda seeks to strengthen grassroots sports and ensure physical activity is a part of daily life. The PSC, under Gregorio's leadership, is also actively partnering with agencies like the Department of Education (DepEd) to develop specialized sports curriculum and with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to build additional training centers nationwide.
The formal signing was preceded by a site visit from Governor Angelina Tan and Chairman Gregorio, who conducted a final assessment of the location before executing the agreement. Gregorio highlighted the importance of the new hub in completing the sports development framework and its expected collaboration with programs from the DepEd Tayabas City Schools Division.
Governor Tan said the hub will bring substantial benefits and fulfill the dreams of young Quezonian athletes, serving as a model for regional sports advancement. This landmark agreement is a culmination of the provincial government's long-standing dedication to sports, a legacy built on initiatives like cash incentives for outstanding student-athletes and a sports clinic supported by Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, architect of the National Academy of Sports Act.
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