To measure the preparedness, management, endurance, and response capability of Camarines Sur's Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs) and communities in the event of disasters, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through its Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO), concluded the Incident Command and Response Challenge — one of the most anticipated events under the 72-Hour Survival Challenge, part of the CamSur Resilience Festival 2026. The event was held on July 29–30, 2026, at the Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili.

The competition was joined by Districts 1–5, each of which composed a team of 35 members from various MDRRMOs across their respective Local Government Units. Teams established a fully equipped Incident Command Post with an Incident Management Team (IMT), complete with communication systems, power supply, tents, a camp setup, rescue vehicles, a PTV, an ambulance, and other essential resources.

The event opened with the Emergency Shelter Construction Challenge, which assessed participating teams' ability to set up a safe, functional, and organized temporary shelter using limited resources.

Teams then responded to five disaster scenarios based on a simulated 7.2 magnitude earthquake:

• A fire broke out at a residential area near Central City Park
• Drowning incident at Lago Del Rey Lake
• Trapped victims at an old city fire building
• Mass Casualty Incident due to a vehicular accident at Central City Park
• Missing persons after falling from the Capitol City Bridge

Dr. Eric Raymond Raborar, Medical Chief of the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) and one of the competition's judges, highlighted the importance of the program, comparing it to a medical principle wherein continued implementation helps develop, enhance, and improve the skills and capacities of those involved.

“Itong exercise na ito ay nakasentro sa leadership. The next 15 minutes will decide the next 5 hours. Kaya ho, 'pag nagkamali ng diskarte ang leader at MDRRMOs, chaotic po 'yan sa baba. Kaya itong exercise na ito, dun po nakatuon sa mga leaders, on how they decide, on how they analyze the situations,” he said.

Among the participants was Lindel Dan Rivera, LDRRMO III and Division Head of MDRRMO Sipocot, who shared that the competition marks the province's first district-level interoperability exercise, strengthening coordination among municipalities in recognition that disasters and emergencies may affect two or more localities and cannot always be managed by a single municipality alone.

He said, “Maganda na napa-practice 'yung sama-sama, nakikita namin 'yung mga lapses ng bawat isa, and nagagawan din namin ng mga paraan 'yung pwede pa naming magawa. And we can also see our strengths as well.”

Rivera added, “Sipocot is thankful to the Provincial Government na nabigyan kami ng oportunidad na sumali sa ganito. Napakaganda na may mga projects at activities na ganito. Na-uplift din kami. Nagkakaroon din kami ng “upbringing” sa amin to grow as the head and as a municipality.”

Meanwhile, Vincent Albert Garchitorena, MDRRM Officer of Goa and acting Incident Commander for District 4 during the challenge, shared that their composite team joined without prior preparation. “Trabaho ta naman ini, bakit kaipuhan ta pa pag-practice-an? Sabi ko, let's try to do it na walang practice-practice. Parang refresher lang ang dating.” 

Garchitorena's team also strengthened their coordination with all District 4 MDRRMOs through the challenge, noting that even before the event, MDRRMOs would request augmentation whenever a major incident or event occurred in a particular locality.

“Very thankful man po kita sa PDRRMC, and especially kay Gov. Lray Villafuerte, na igwa kitang arog kaining challenge. Igwa kitang arog kaining event na talagang pighihiling ta ang munisipyo kung ready ba sinda sa kung ano man na disaster na pwedeng mangyari,” he said. 

Official Results and Participating LGUs:

Champion: District 5 (Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Iriga City, and Nabua)

1st Runner-up: District 4 (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Presentacion, Sagñay, San Jose, Siruma, Tigaon, and Tinambac)

2nd Runner-up: District 2 (Gainza, Libmanan, Milaor, Minalabac, Pamplona, Pasacao, and San Fernando)

3rd Runner-up: District 1 (Cabusao, Del Gallego, Lupi, Ragay, and Sipocot)

4th Runner-up: District 3 (Bombon, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, and Magarao)