TACLOBAN CITY – Hundreds of emergency responders, disaster risk reduction personnel, firefighters, and volunteers from across Eastern Visayas are now in Ormoc City for the ongoing Regional Rescue Jamboree 2026, a weeklong event aimed at sharpening rescue skills and strengthening disaster preparedness in one of the country’s most disaster-prone regions.
The July 12 to 17 jamboree, organized by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Eastern Visayas in partnership with the Ormoc City government and other regional stakeholders, brings together rescue teams from local government units and national agencies for a series of drills, competitions, and capability-building activities.
The event began with the arrival of participating teams, camp establishment, the organization of the Incident Management Team (IMT), and an opening program.
Participants are currently undergoing various capability-building sessions, including lectures and workshops on emergency response, disaster management, and volunteerism.
Advance teams are also carrying out field preparations and protocol exercises, while medical evaluations and coordination meetings are being conducted to ensure the readiness of all participating contingents.
The highlight of the jamboree is set for July 15, when rescue teams will compete in a series of simulated emergency scenarios designed to test their technical skills, teamwork, and endurance. These include squad swimming, staged obstacle courses, simultaneous water rescue operations, and a mass capsized boat drill.
On July 16, participants will compete in the Firefighter’s Obstacle Competition before the event culminates with an awarding ceremony and solidarity night recognizing the top-performing teams and individual rescuers.
The weeklong activity will conclude Friday, July 17, with camp restoration following the “Leave No Trace” principle before the participating delegations return to their respective provinces.
According to organizers, the Regional Rescue Jamboree serves as a platform for enhancing the operational readiness of emergency responders while strengthening coordination among local government units, volunteer organizations, and national agencies involved in disaster response.
Eastern Visayas is among the country’s most disaster-vulnerable regions, frequently battered by powerful typhoons, floods, storm surges, landslides, earthquakes, and other natural hazards. The region’s exposure to these recurring disasters has underscored the need for continuous training and interoperability among rescue teams to ensure faster and more effective emergency response during calamities.
The OCD said the annual jamboree reflects the government’s continuing commitment to building resilient communities by improving the skills of frontline responders and fostering closer collaboration among agencies tasked with protecting lives and property during disasters.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
