SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Iloilo province topped the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) which ended Saturday, garnering the highest number of gold medals among the six provinces in the region.

Dr. Oliver Servillon, Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique sports coordinator, said in an interview that Iloilo collected a total of 227 gold, 170 silver and 121 bronze medals.

Negros Occidental placed second, followed by Aklan, Capiz, Antique and Guimaras. The medal tally of the runners-up was not available yet as of posting time.

Negros Occidental clinched the Cleanest and Greenest Award, while Guimaras received the Best in Uniform and Most Festive Awards.  

Passi, a component city of Iloilo province, will host the 2026 edition. Mayor Stephen Palmares formally accepted the hosting chores during the closing ceremony at Binirayas Sports Gymnasium. 

“The athletes today are now pulling out from their billeting schools to go home to their respective provinces,” Servillon said.  

Servillon lauded this province, local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders for helping the DepEd prepare the playing venues, billeting schools and homestays of some 12,000 athletes, officials and guests.  

The gold medalists will be representing Western Visayas Region in the Ilocos Norte Palarong Pambansa on May 24 to 30. 

“As for our Antique athletes, they will be given allowances as they prepare themselves for their national competitions,” he said. (With a report from Rosa Mae Blanco, OJT/PNA)