Young skateboarders in Cagayan de Oro are once again urging city officials to build a public skate park, saying the lack of a safe space forces many youth to skate on sidewalks, roads, plazas, and private property.
The renewed appeal came during Go Skateboarding Day 2026 celebrations along Paseo del Rio and Rio Boulevard, where members of the local skateboarding community gathered to promote the sport and highlight long-standing safety concerns.
For many skaters, the issue goes beyond recreation—it is also about safety, youth development, and access to sports opportunities.
“Kailangan mi ug supporta from government,” skater Jimboy Pagapulaan said, explaining that local skaters are often asked to leave public spaces by security guards because the city still has no dedicated skate facility.
He pointed out that other cities in Mindanao already have public skate parks, while Cagayan de Oro continues to lack one despite the sport’s growing popularity.
Batang Pinoy Inclusion Raises Hopes
The appeal gained stronger attention after the Philippine Sports Commission announced the inclusion of skateboarding in the 2026 Batang Pinoy national games in Bacolod scheduled from Dec. 12 to 18.
The grassroots competition is open to athletes aged 8 to 15 and forms part of the government’s effort to align youth sports development with the Department of Education’s Palarong Pambansa program.
Local skaters said the inclusion proves skateboarding is no longer just a street hobby but a legitimate competitive sport with opportunities for young athletes.
Skateboarding also debuted in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is set to remain in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Safety Risks Continue for Young Skaters
Without a public skate park, many skaters in the city rely on improvised “DIY” skating areas built using their own money in abandoned spaces or along roadsides.
Karlos Martin Q. Bade, owner of BNL Burger and a senior member of the local skateboarding community, warned that skating on roads and sidewalks exposes young people to accidents and conflicts with property owners.
He said some skaters have even experienced confiscation of skateboards while practicing in commercial areas.
“Usahay pod sa kadalanan sa Cagayan de Oro, which is not safe, pwede mi maligsan og sakyanan or makaguba og private property,” Bade said.
Advocates said a properly designed public skate park could help move skaters away from busy roads and pedestrian walkways while giving youth a safer place to train.
Other Cities Already Have Public Skate Parks
Skaters also pointed to several Mindanao cities that already support the sport through public skate facilities, including parks in Davao City, Iligan, Dipolog, Koronadal, and General Luna in Siargao.
Some facilities, such as the Cloud 9 Skate Park in Siargao, operate through partnerships between private groups and non-government organizations.
Calls for Action Continue
Local skateboarders said requests for a public skate park have been submitted to city hall multiple times since the early 2000s, but no major project has materialized.
Advocates believe a centralized skate park could also support roller skating, kick scooters, and BMX freestyle riding, giving more young athletes access to safe training facilities.
For many local skaters, the request is simple: provide youth with a safe public space where they can train, compete, and stay away from dangerous streets.
