Zamboanga Sibugay Fire Bureau Wins National Top Award

Daphne Santuyo

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay — The name of Zamboanga Sibugay has once again reached the national stage, this time through its fire protection force, after the province’s Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Provincial Office was declared Best Provincial Office of the Year during the agency’s 35th anniversary celebration.

The recognition was conferred on August 7, 2026, at Linsangan Hall of the BFP National Headquarters in Quezon City, where outstanding BFP offices and personnel from across the country were recognized for their accomplishments and service.

For Zamboanga Sibugay, the award carries an added sense of homecoming. The provincial office is currently led by Acting Provincial Fire Marshal FSUPT Reggy A. Olmedo, DSC, a Sibugaynon who grew up in Zamboanga Sibugay and now finds himself leading the province’s fire protection service to one of its biggest national achievements.

Olmedo heads the provincial office under the supervision of FSSUPT Kadil T. Acalul, DSC, Acting Regional Director of BFP Region IX.

The distinction also reflects the continuity of work within the provincial office. It builds on the systems and accomplishments established during the tenure of FSSUPT Jacqueline S. Ortega, DSC, now Assistant Regional Director for Operations of BFP Region IX, and subsequently carried forward and strengthened under Olmedo.

The national award recognizes the provincial office’s performance in carrying out its responsibilities, from fire prevention and suppression to emergency response, rescue operations and community safety initiatives.

But behind every response is a larger network of people and institutions that make public safety possible.

In Zamboanga Sibugay, the Provincial Government under Governor Ann K. Hofer has maintained its support for disaster preparedness, emergency response and public safety programs. The cooperation between the PLGU, municipal governments and frontline agencies such as the BFP is crucial in ensuring that firefighters have the support needed to respond effectively to emergencies.

The recognition therefore represents not only the achievement of the firefighters but also the strength of the partnerships that allow them to perform their work.

For Olmedo, leading the provincial office to the national recognition is particularly meaningful as someone who grew up in the province and has deep personal ties to the Sibugaynon community. The accomplishment brings the work of local firefighters full circle—from serving their own communities to being recognized at the national level.

The award also gives recognition to the men and women of the provincial BFP who routinely work behind the scenes, responding to fires, accidents, rescue calls and other emergencies while helping communities prepare before disasters happen.

For Zamboanga Sibugay, the national honor is a source of provincial pride and a reminder that excellence in public service can emerge from local communities and reach the highest levels of national recognition.

As the provincial fire office celebrates the achievement, the challenge now is to sustain the performance that earned the award and continue raising the standard of fire protection and emergency response across the province.

A Sibugaynon leading Sibugay’s fire protection force to the national stage, the recognition is not only an award for an office, but a proud moment for the province and the people it serves.