ANTIQUE — The Province of Antique will host the 2026 Regional Rescuelympics from July 27 to 29 after representatives from the Office of Civil Defense Central Office and Office of Civil Defense Region VI declared the proposed venues ready for the event following a recent ocular inspection.
OCD Region VI Director Raul Fernandez said Western Visayas was selected as one of three pilot regions for this year’s Rescuelympics, along with Regions II and IX.
Fernandez said Antique accepted the challenge of hosting the annual competition, which is conducted on a rotational basis among provinces in the region.
The event will gather participants from the five provinces of Western Visayas and Iloilo City.
During the inspection, the OCD team evaluated the preparedness, suitability and logistical readiness of the proposed venues to ensure compliance with the technical requirements of the competition.
“Antique is ready as always. There are no major concerns,” Fernandez said, noting that the proximity and stability of the event stations will help ensure the efficient movement of participants.
Six competition areas have been identified for the event: the assembly and briefing area, evacuation sites, aquatic and confined space, fire safety and incline, obstacle and terrain, and technical terrain stations.
Fernandez said invitations are also being extended to other Visayas regions and selected local government units in the National Capital Region, including Marikina City and Pasig City, to observe the competition and strengthen inter-agency collaboration on disaster preparedness.
Funding for the activity will be shared by OCD Region VI and the Provincial Government of Antique.
The provincial government will shoulder local hosting activities, including the “Paghangkat it Binirayan,” while OCD Region VI will cover the official competition expenses.
Winning teams will receive plaques and cash incentives from the organizers.
Fernandez thanked the provincial government and Governor Paolo Javier for their continued support for disaster preparedness and emergency response initiatives.
The 2026 Regional Rescuelympics will be the third staging of the competition. The inaugural event was held in Negros Occidental in 2024, followed by Capiz in 2025.
Also present during the ocular inspection were representatives from the Office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, and Department of Information and Communications Technology./PN
