The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Friday, Jan. 16, formally activated an emergency response task group solely focused on ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings hosted by the Philippines this year.

The OCD said the ceremony, held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, highlighted the integrated surge capacity, interoperability, and operational readiness of Joint Task Group on Emergency Preparedness and Response (JTGEPR).

The JTGEPR is composed of uniformed services, response agencies, and key government institutions tasked with improving coordination for large-scale emergencies during the high-level international meetings.

Under the JTGEPR, the AFP serves as the lead agency for the Search, Rescue, and Response Task Group, which is directed to work closely with other uniformed services such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fire Protection( BFP) to maintain the integrated surge capacity, interoperability, and operational readiness of the joint task group.

The event was attended by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Maria Hellen B. Dela Vega, Director General for Operations of the ASEAN National Organizing Committee, who served as the keynote speaker.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. said national preparedness for ASEAN 2026 depends on strong interagency cooperation, a whole-of-nation approach, and improved coordination, interoperability, and common standards in disaster response.

He also underscored the importance of interagency unity and operational readiness in keeping the international delegates and the general public safe throughout the events.

“This shows what can be achieved when the AFP and our partner agencies work together toward a shared goal,” he said.

During the ceremony, Brawner received the Certificate of Accreditation for the 525th Combat Engineer Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA).

The unit completed the National INSARAG Accreditation Process for Urban Search and Rescue, a voluntary program that helps countries align their USAR teams with the guidelines of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).

INSARAG is a United Nations-affiliated network that coordinates international USAR teams for disasters such as earthquakes. It develops standards, training, and classifications to ensure efficient and coordinated responses to emergencies involving collapsed structures worldwide.

Brawner described the milestone as both an achievement and a responsibility to sustain high standards in life-saving operations.

The Philippines will host the ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings this year, bringing together leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to discuss ways how to enhance their regional cooperation, economic integration, and dealing with security issues affecting Southeast Asia.

High-level consultative meetings for ASEAN 2026 are set to begin this month.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat will take place from January 25 to 29 while the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) is scheduled from January 26 to 30. Both events will be hosted in Cebu City.

Throughout the year, a total of 208 clustered meetings are planned as part of the ASEAN 2026 calendar, according to organizers.

The 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be held in Mactan, Cebu on May 8 and 9.

Meanwhile, the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which will include leaders from beyond Southeast Asia, are scheduled at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila from November 10 to 12.