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CLARK CITY, Pampanga, September 16, 2026 — With a total haul of 17 medals, Region IV-A (CALABARZON) emerged as the overall champion of WorldSkills Philippines Clark 2026, leading 18 participating regions in the country’s premier national skills competition.
The Region IV-A team participated in 29 out of the 30 competition skill areas finishing with seven gold, four silver, three bronze, and three Medallions for Excellence (MFE) to claim the top spot at the competition which was held from September 7 to 11 in Clark, Pampanga.
Region XI (Davao Region) was first runner-up with 16 medals composed of five gold, three silver, five bronze and three MFE, while the National Capital Region (NCR) placed second runner-up with 15 medals including four gold, three silver, two bronze and six MFE.
In his message, TESDA Secretary Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez congratulated the competitors and emphasized that success in the competition goes beyond medals and rankings.
“To every young Filipino who stood at a station this week with steady hands and a racing heart — congratulations sa inyo. You did not fail. You competed,” Benitez said.
The TESDA chief stressed that excellence in skills is built through continuous practice, perseverance, and experience, urging the competitors to continue developing their abilities beyond the competition.
He also underscored the value of Filipino technical-vocational (tech-voc) skills, noting that Filipino workers continue to contribute to industries and communities in the Philippines and abroad.
“Filipino skill has always been our quiet superpower,” he emphasized, citing Filipino workers such as seafarers, welders, technicians, hospitality workers, and machinists who apply their skills in different parts of the world.
Aside from medals and certificates, the top-performing competitors also took home cash incentives, with ₱30,000 for gold medalists, ₱20,000 for silver medalists, and ₱15,000 for bronze medalists.
Meanwhile, the closing ceremony also marked the transition to the next edition of the competition as the hosting of WorldSkills Philippines was officially turned over from Region III (Central Luzon) to Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula).
Benitez announced that WorldSkills Philippines 2027 will introduce a new format, with the competition set to be held in multiple venues and with the participation of a wider network of educational institutions, including high schools, technical-vocational institutions, higher education institutions, and state universities and colleges.
The WorldSkills Philippines Clark 2026 carried the theme, “Your Skills, Your Future,” celebrating the skills, determination, and aspirations of Filipino youth while reinforcing the role of technical-vocational education and training in building a skilled and competitive workforce.
WorldSkills Philippines Clark 2026 addresses President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s directive to equip Filipino workers with globally competitive and industry-aligned skills. (/)