Puerto Princesa City emerged as the grand winner in the Best Sports Tourism Event category at the 2026 Pearl Awards during the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) national convention in Ormoc City.
The award recognizes the city government’s efforts to bring people together through sports by hosting sporting competitions, particularly the 4th Puerto Princesa International Dragon Boat Club Crew Festival.
Aside from winning Best Sports Tourism Event, the city also placed first runner-up in the Best Tourism Souvenirs category for the Tandikan Decorative Plaque and in the Best Practices on Sustainable Tourism (Highly Urbanized City) category for the annual Pista Y ang Cagueban. It also placed second runner-up in the Best Tourism Month Celebration category for its efforts to promote tourism, culture, and pride, and in the Best Event Hosting–International (HUC Level) category for Budayaw: A Celebration of Culture.
Additionally, the city received special recognition as a finalist in the Best Tourism Promotions Video category at the 2026 Pearl Awards for its audiovisual presentation, Amos Tara: The Puerto Princesa City Tourism AVP.
City Tourism Officer Demetrio Alvior Jr. said the awards and recognitions are a proud affirmation of the city’s commitment to making sustainability an essential part of its tourism growth and journey, as it continues to champion the protection of natural resources while inspiring communities to take part in preserving the beauty and diversity of the city.
