PHIVIDEC, TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 17, 2026 — Responders from various government agencies put their Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) preparedness and coordination mechanisms to the test during the third and final day of the National Action Plan on CBRN Risk Mitigation Awareness Orientation and Simulation Exercises held at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. The day focused on the conduct of functional exercises designed to apply the concepts, protocols, and response procedures discussed during the first two days of the activity.

The simulation tested a whole-of-government response to a suspected chemical weapons production and smuggling incident, requiring participating agencies to work under a unified command structure. The exercise covered the tactical response, establishment of hot, warm, and cold zones, hazard assessment, rescue and extraction of simulated victims, decontamination, public safety sampling, evidence preservation and processing, and eventual remediation of the affected site.

Personnel from the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Health, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation, LGU Tagoloan, and other participating and observing agencies took part in the exercise, allowing responders to test interoperability, communication, command and control, and coordination in a complex CBRN incident.

Following the simulation, a hotwash was conducted to assess the performance of the participating teams, identify strengths and operational gaps, and document lessons that can further improve CBRN preparedness and inter-agency response. The three-day activity concluded with messages from partner officials and the awarding of certificates to participating and supporting agencies.

The three-day activity moved from CBRN awareness and technical sessions to scenario planning, tabletop exercises, and the actual simulation, strengthening inter-agency coordination and generating lessons to further improve CBRN preparedness and response in Region 10.