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MANILA, May 23, 2025 — A total of 497 athletes and 105 coaches and assistant coaches underwent the screening process conducted on May 22, at Balatong Integrated School (BIS) in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Officials from the National Screening and Accreditation Committee (NSAC) of the 69th Palarong Pambansa arrived early morning the same day to evaluate the documents prepared by Bangsamoro athletes and their coaches as part of the regular requirements for participation in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa (National Games).
The student-athletes and coaches took part in the comprehensive evaluation process that will assess their athletic abilities, technical knowledge, physical fitness, and overall character through interviews — measuring their dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship.
They are the representatives of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) sent by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) headed by Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal.
𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐀 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
In a related development, the officials of the BARMM Athletic Association (BARMMAA) also went through a refresher course on Tuesday, May 21, at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City, for the upcoming 65th Palarong Pambansa.
The refresher course focused on the updated Health and Safety Guidelines and Protocols for this year’s Palaro, ensuring that all regional delegations are aligned with national standards for athlete welfare, emergency response, and venue preparedness.
Dr. Yusoph Thong A. Amino, Director I of the Bureau of Physical Education and Sports Development (MBHTE-BPESD) ed the BARMMAA participation in the refresher course.
Those who attended the activities are key officials and representatives from various regions, aiming to strengthen coordination and implementation of safety measures across all sporting events. With the growing emphasis on athlete safety and well-being, the orientation served as a vital preparatory step for a successful and secure national sports competition.
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages — now eight new municipalities — that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. (✓)