KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — In preparation for the highly anticipated celebration of the Province of South Cotabato’s 60th Foundation Anniversary and the 27th T’nalak Festival, the Provincial Government has intensified security and emergency preparedness measures by activating the Incident Management Team (IMT).
To ensure the safe, orderly, and successful conduct of the festivities, the Incident Command Team recently convened a comprehensive coordination meeting to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and operational readiness among participating response units.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Rolly Doane C. Aquino, RN, led the activity and emphasized the importance of proactive coordination and unified action among all response sectors, as thousands of residents and tourists are expected to participate in the upcoming festivities.
Aquino said the activation of the Incident Management Team is a critical step in ensuring that all contingencies are properly addressed before and during the celebration.
“The T’nalak Festival and the Foundation Anniversary are among the biggest events in our province, drawing large crowds and featuring activities across multiple venues. Through the activation of the Incident Management Team, we are strengthening our preparedness, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and ensuring that immediate response mechanisms are in place for any possible emergency,” Aquino stated.
He added that public safety remains the Provincial Government’s top priority, stressing that every participating agency plays a vital role in maintaining peace, order, and efficient emergency response operations throughout the celebration.
“This is not only about security deployment but also about protecting lives, managing risks, and ensuring that every resident and visitor can safely enjoy the festivities. Our collective commitment and cooperation are essential in achieving a peaceful and successful celebration,” Aquino further said.
The meeting, held at Cinco Niñas in Koronadal City, brought together key agencies and partner organizations tasked with overseeing public safety, emergency response, crowd management, and disaster preparedness during the province-wide celebration.
Represented agencies included the Philippine National Police–South Cotabato, the 6th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, the Bureau of Fire Protection–South Cotabato, the Provincial General Services Office, Koronadal Kabalikat-Radio Communicators, the Provincial Health Office, and the Philippine Red Cross–South Cotabato Chapter.
During the meeting, participating agencies discussed operational protocols, deployment strategies, communication systems, medical response preparedness, fire safety measures, traffic and crowd management, and contingency plans for emergencies and weather-related incidents.
The IMT is expected to operate under a unified command structure to facilitate faster decision-making and coordinated response efforts during the festival.
The annual T’nalak Festival, one of South Cotabato’s most celebrated cultural events, showcases the province’s rich cultural heritage, colorful traditions, and the artistry of the Tboli people through music, dance, trade fairs, cultural presentations, and community activities. This year’s celebration is expected to attract a significant influx of visitors from neighboring provinces and different parts of the country.
With the activation of the IMT and strengthened collaboration among security and emergency response agencies, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato aims to ensure that this year’s dual celebration will be not only vibrant and memorable but also safe and well-coordinated for all attendees.
