BACOLOD CITY — City officials and local hospitality leaders gathered at L’Fisher Hotel for a consultative meeting to establish an official Accommodation Directory for Bacolod City ahead of the Batang Pinoy 2026 National Championships hosting this December 12-18.
Mayor Greg Gasataya rallied the support of 209 registered accommodation operators, representing hotels, tourist inns, pension houses, short-term rentals, transient homes, staycation units, and private properties, emphasizing their crucial role in the successful hosting of the national sporting event.
“This is one of the biggest sporting events in the country in terms of delegation,” Mayor Gasataya said, underscoring the importance of completing an inventory of all accommodation providers capable of serving the more than 20,000 delegates and guests expected to arrive in Bacolod for the competition.
“The success of the Batang Pinoy is the success of Bacolod City, and that includes all of you,” the mayor added. During the forum, attended by Councilor Jason Villarosa, Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili, City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo, Mae Llamas, head of the Department of Local Economic and Investment Promotions and Atty. Rhett Demonteverde, the Bacolod City Tourism Development Office outlined the event’s projected economic impact and emphasized the need for accommodation operators to complete the registration forms to accurately determine the city’s lodging capacity.
Mayor Gasataya and Mayo also assured property owners including Airbnb operators, condominium unit owners, transient houses, and staycation providers that the city government would assist them with the necessary documentation and permit requirements.
“We are exploring the issuance of special permits, subject to certain conditions, while ensuring compliance with safety and sanitary inspection requirements,” Mayo said, noting that the initiative aims to encourage more accommodation providers to participate in hosting delegates during the event.
The consultative meeting also addressed concerns on accommodation rates, safety protocols, reservation systems, and booking logistics, ensuring close coordination and unified preparations between the local government and the private hospitality sector ahead of Batang Pinoy 2026.(BACOLOD CITY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE)
