One for Ina: Naga City LGU and Archdiocese of Caceres hurl joint incident management system for Peñafrancia 2026

By Lilette P. Manauis

NAGA CITY, Philippines  — Willed by the expectation of millions of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists turning up this September for the Peñafrancia festivities,  the Naga City Local Government Unit (LGU) and the Archdiocese of Caceres have properly coordinated their operations through the activation of the city’s Incident Management Team (IMT).

The signing of a standard multi-agency agreement involving local authorities and church leaders, binds the execution of a comprehensive, benchmarked outline to guarantee a secure, orderly, and deeply solemn Peñafrancia 2026 celebration. This unified command framework otherwise known as  Executive Order No. 036, series of 2026, was signed by Naga City Mayor Leni G. Robredo, thereby mandating the LGU to officially put into function the city's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) through its Incident Management Team (IMT). 

Unlike traditional independent planning, this year’s conduct of the Peñafrancia fiesta features a structural transition based on the Incident Command System (ICS) model which is a framework for on-the-site emergency command, control, and coordination response endeavors. With this scheme, multiple distinct entities harmoniously implement their activities under a single, cohesive direction. 

Mayor Robredo, together with Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, DD, the Archbishop of Caceres, expressed solid collaboration during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Peñafrancia 2026 Multi-Agency Coordinating Group on September 2, 2026. The said event which was held at the Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi Hall of the Basilica Minore and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, brought together key regional safety offices, including the Philippine National Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). 

Likewise, the Archdiocese was duly represented by Vicar General Fr. Wilfred Almoneda, Rector and Vice Rector of the Minor Basilica Fr. Eugene Lubigan and Fr Jene Lois Sarmiento respectively. Fr. Erwin Bismonte of Caritas Caceres, Fr. Glen Ruiz of the Caceres Commission on Liturgy, and Fr. Francis Tordilla or the Caceres Commission of Communications were also present.

The joint operation is chiefly mandated to balance stout security with the deep religious impact of the major festival events especially the Traslacion on September 11 and the Fluvial Procession on September 19. Thus, their Incident Action Plan aims to efficiently “manage human resources and be logistically realistic,” according to Mr. Raynor Rodriguez, head of the Naga City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office.

Crowd Control, Rerouting, and General Public Safety

“We know that it’s local and a thing of the barrio, but it’s proven to be very effective until now and even here in the city. We will use the traditional ‘pag-bandillo’ to announce road closures and clearing of streets for the processions,” Rodriguez disclosed. 

He further laid out strategies and details relevant to the activities during the Peñafrancia celebration identifying 3 main events which are the Traslacion, the military parade and the Fluvial Procession. He emphasized that the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be on alert and in close coordination with the Archdiocese throughout the conduct of these events. He added that they will even be there during the Marian Youth Congress (MYC) and some concerts scheduled during the Fiesta, which are added events to their supervision.

The Naga City Police Office (NCPO) and PRO5 are deploying 2,500 active personnel and security will be enhanced by strategically positioned CCTV networks tracking major procession routes. A Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) arm is established for the Fluvial Procession along the Naga River. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will direct the IMT's Task Group Water Search and Rescue and field around 600 personnel and multi-layered water safety and risk management to control and prevent hazards for the sake of the devotees by the riverbanks. 

Deeper public safety commands will be enforced to prevent disruptions as the city government passed a temporary suspension of the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) within Naga City limits for the duration of the festivities. Likewise, a selective liquor-ban and strict drone regulations under the Caceres Commission on Communications (CCCom) will also be enforced.

Ecclesiastical Coordination

The Archbishop gave directions to institute a command center based in the Archbishop’s Palace to ensure the seamless coordination of the manner of the Traslacion procession. In an interview with Caceres News’ Antonette Eduardo, Fr. Eugene Lubigan, Rector of the Minor Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and in charge of the said command center, expressed that there are changes in this year’s fiesta coordination. 

Fr. Lubigan explained that the command center is an innovation whose major purpose is to warrant the orderly movement and sequence of the different contingencies participating in the procession, and the precise flow of the interval between the andas of El Divino Rostro and the andas of Ina. He also relayed that another change made is the removal of that part of the andas which was used to hold flowers for decoration however became a handle or prop for the voyadores to climb the andas. 

Fr. Lubigan further appeals to the voyadores to attend formation seminars through the Cofradia de San Jose in their parishes. He encourages them to become members of the organization “in order to make their involvement more fruitful,” he said. “It is important to prepare spiritually for a meaningful participation in the fiesta. We make physical preparations…accepting the Sacrament of Reconciliation while we are in our parishes will bring us to a more meaningful and fruitful fiesta celebration,” he stressed.

For both the Church of Caceres and the LGU of Naga City, the operation of the joint IMT demonstrates a shared commitment that goes beyond crowd management and risk reduction, "A momentous and safe Peñafrancia celebration happens upon coordination, preparedness, and a common responsibility to protect every devotee," said Rodriguez. 

By making church volunteers and logistics teams rooted into the executive emergency structure, Naga City is ready to welcome pilgrims and tourists to a safe and prayerful Peñafrancia Fiesta.

Photos courtesy of Vince Puno

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