SAP Lagdameo Arrives in Sibugay as Province Launches KALASAG Inter-Agency Exercise
Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay - The province stepped up preparations for coordinated emergency and territorial defense operations as Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo arrived in Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday for the rollout of KALASAG SIBUGAY.
Lagdameo was welcomed at the Ipil Airport by Governor Ann K. Hofer and Vice Governor Richard Olegario marking the start of his visit for the province’s inter-agency preparedness activities.
The rollout brought together provincial and municipal officials, including members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and municipal mayors, along with representatives of security, emergency response and other government agencies.
The KALASAG SIBUGAY exercise is being undertaken within the Inter-Agency Territorial Defense Operations (IATDO) framework, providing participating agencies an opportunity to test their ability to coordinate and respond to different emergency and security scenarios.
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Rather than operating independently, participating units are expected to work through a coordinated system in which local governments and national agencies can quickly mobilize resources and support one another during a crisis.
The exercise includes a range of simulated scenarios, including maritime and counter-landing operations, airborne operations and close-quarters battle, together with rehearsals involving reservist mobilization, non-combatant evacuation and mass-casualty evacuation.
These activities are intended to identify gaps in coordination, improve operational readiness and clarify the responsibilities of participating agencies before an actual emergency occurs.
During his visit, Lagdameo also proceeded to the Dr. George T. Hofer Medical Center (DGTHMC) in Tenan, Ipil, one of the facilities that could become important in responding to emergencies involving casualties or large-scale incidents.
The participation of Governor Hofer and local government leaders highlights the role of LGUs in the province’s preparedness framework. Municipal governments are expected to play a critical role in evacuation, public information, logistics and other support functions during emergencies.
The provincial government likewise emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination between civilian authorities and the uniformed services to ensure a unified response when confronted with serious incidents.
Following the rollout, participating agencies will proceed with further coordination and finalization of operational plans, assignments and other requirements to ensure that the succeeding components of KALASAG SIBUGAY are carried out in an organized and coordinated manner.
For Zamboanga Sibugay, the exercise represents an opportunity to strengthen the province’s ability to respond as one government when confronted with emergencies, bringing together local leadership, national agencies, security forces and emergency responders under a common preparedness framework.
