PUERTO PRINCESA CITY: The BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games are set to make a comeback this December in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, ending a six-year hiatus with a multi-sport event featuring eight disciplines. The games, which will be held from December 1 to 5, will see participation from teams representing Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 11th edition of the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games will include competitions in pencak silat, sepak takraw, archery, swimming, badminton, esports, karate, and athletics. The games were first inaugurated in 1996 in General Santos City, aiming to foster cultural exchange and preserve the heritage among member nations. The biennial event was last held in 2018 in Brunei, where the Malaysian state of Sabah emerged as the top performer with a 23-17-15 gold-silver-bronze medal tally.
The BIMP-EAGA comprises regions from four countries: Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines; Brunei Darussalam; the provinces of Kalim
antan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and West Papua in Indonesia; and the states of Sabah, Sarawak, and the federal territory of Labuan in Malaysia. This regional bloc not only focuses on sports but also seeks to enhance trade, tourism, and investments through initiatives that facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services across borders.
In a related development, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Memorandum Order 29 in August, granting travel tax exemptions to travelers departing from international airports and seaports in Mindanao and Palawan to any EAGA member destination. This exemption, effective until June 30, 2028, aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which prioritizes tourism promotion and the reduction of trade and investment barriers. Eligible passengers must have confirmed connecting flights from Mindanao and Palawan to EAGA areas within 24 hours of departure.