TITAY, Zamboanga Sibugay — September 10, 2026. The Municipality of Titay continues to advance toward a more responsive and coordinated emergency management system, as government agencies joined the 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) at the Titay Municipal Hall.
At the center of the exercise was a simulated Emergency Operations Center (EOC) established at the Municipal Hall Conference Hall, where the situation, response activities, and operational developments were monitored by Mayor Riorita M. Castillo together with the heads of municipal offices.
Under the leadership of Mayor Castillo, participating agencies demonstrated how a unified system can bring together different response capabilities during a crisis. The exercise emphasized that effective disaster response does not depend on one agency alone, but on clear command, timely communication, and coordinated action.
The Incident Command System (ICS) was applied during the drill to establish an organized structure for command and decision-making. Radio communication was also utilized to facilitate real-time coordination among responders and ensure that critical information could be transmitted efficiently.
Response clusters likewise coordinated their respective functions, demonstrating how agencies can work simultaneously while operating under a common emergency management framework.
The Bureau of Fire Protection, headed by SFO4 Neil P Siaron, demonstrated its continuing efforts to enhance its emergency response capabilities. The BFP’s participation highlighted the importance of having firefighters who are not only prepared for fire suppression but are also capable of supporting broader disaster response operations.
The Rural Health Unit, headed by Dr. Grazelle Anne F. Carido, took part in the medical response component, while the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO), represented by George Carabana, supported disaster coordination. The Philippine National Police (PNP), led by PMAJ ARNOLD A ESPARES, ACOP, contributed to the public safety and security component of the exercise.
The NSED served as more than a simulation. It provided Titay with an opportunity to test its emergency systems, strengthen inter-agency coordination, enhance response capabilities, and identify areas that need further improvement.
With the continued integration of the municipality’s response agencies under a coordinated system, Titay is taking concrete steps toward becoming a more responsive, organized, and resilient municipality in times of crisis.
