By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos Center for Health Development and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) formally wrapped up the Balikatan Exercise 2026 on May 5 at Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, marking a major step forward in strengthening civil-military cooperation in healthcare and disaster response.
Recognized as the first undertaking of its kind in the country, the exercise showcased a unified and strategic approach to improving interoperability, operational readiness, and emergency response coordination between civilian and military sectors.
The initiative underscored the importance of integrated systems and partnerships in responding to increasingly complex public health emergencies and security challenges, ensuring that both sectors remain prepared and capable during times of crisis.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the broader impact of the collaboration, noting that Balikatan 2026 demonstrates the value of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in strengthening national resilience.
“Balikatan 2026 reflects the kind of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach we need today. By strengthening collaboration between the health sector, the military, and our partner institutions like MMMHMC, we are not only enhancing our emergency response capabilities—we are building a more resilient, responsive, and unified health system for every Ilocano,” Herbosa said.
The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), one of the Department of Health’s apex hospitals north of Manila, played a vital role throughout the exercise by contributing its expertise in emergency management and clinical operations.
Its multidisciplinary team, composed of surgeons, emergency response leaders, and nursing officials, led simulated medical operations that mirrored real-life emergency scenarios, highlighting the hospital’s role not only as a healthcare institution but also as a critical command hub during disasters and crises.
Medical Center Chief Maria Lourdes K. Otayza expressed the hospital’s continued commitment to interagency collaboration and disaster preparedness.
“Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center stand firmly with the Department of Health and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in advancing integrated emergency response systems.
“Our participation in Balikatan 2026 reflects our unwavering commitment to protect lives through excellence in clinical care, disaster readiness, and interagency cooperation. We recognize that resilience is built through partnership, and we are ready to continuously work alongside our national and regional partners in safeguarding the health and safety of our communities,” she said.
The successful conduct of Balikatan 2026 reaffirmed the strength of collaboration among government agencies, healthcare institutions, and the military in building safer and more resilient communities across the region.
ia/xf
