Philippine Army to assess Iloilo community defense readiness

ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Army’s Reserve Command will conduct a readiness assessment and mustering of personnel in Iloilo on Nov. 21, 2026, as the provincial government prepares to establish a task force to strengthen disaster response, community security and emergency preparedness.

The 604th (Iloilo) Community Defense Center, under the 6th Regional Community Defense Group of the Philippine Army Reserve Command, will spearhead the Constructive Assessment and Development Review Engagement (CADRE) and Mustering.

The activity is scheduled for 8 a.m. at Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) in La Paz, Iloilo City.

In an Oct. 29 letter to the Daily Guardian, Col. Michael N. Asuncion, director of the 604th Community Defense Center, said the activity would assess the readiness and preparedness of personnel involved in establishing the Provincial Task Force Iloilo.

The assessment will focus on the capacity of personnel to respond to natural and human-induced disasters, calamities and potential wartime situations.

The initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen coordination between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), its reserve component and the provincial government in addressing threats to public safety and security.

The activity also supports the implementation of Executive Order No. 111, Series of 2025, issued by Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.

The executive order established the Provincial Community Defense Action for MoRProGRes Iloilo, known as 4K for MoRProGRes, or Kapayapaan, Kaayusan at Katatagan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Bagong Pilipinas.

The program provides a framework for coordinated community defense initiatives aimed at strengthening peace, public order, disaster resilience and local government preparedness against internal and external threats.

Defensor formally launched the initiative during a special meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council on Dec. 23, 2025.

Under the program, the province seeks to intensify cooperation among local government units, national government agencies, security forces and community stakeholders in responding to emergencies and other threats.

The executive order also provides for the Provincial Community Defense Cluster, which is responsible for developing policies, programs and actions related to community defense.

Its implementation includes an Urgent Development Mode, which prioritizes programs and resources addressing peace, security and resilience during critical situations.

The upcoming CADRE and Mustering will support preparations for the Provincial Task Force Iloilo by determining the preparedness of personnel expected to participate in its operations.

The Philippine Army’s reserve force serves as a support component of the country’s defense establishment, augmenting regular military personnel during national emergencies, disasters and wartime contingencies.

Reservists also contribute to humanitarian assistance, disaster response and community-based activities that strengthen public safety and resilience.

The Iloilo Provincial Government has been working with the Army and its reserve component to advance these objectives.

On Oct. 22, the provincial government turned over rice, noodles and canned goods to the Philippine Army and the 604th Community Defense Center as part of its continuing support for community defense activities.

The assistance was aligned with Executive Order No. 111 and the province’s broader MoRProGRes development agenda, which stands for Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive and Resilient Iloilo.

The Army said greater public awareness of community preparedness and the military’s role in disaster response could help strengthen cooperation between civilian communities and security forces.

Through the Nov. 21 assessment, the 604th Community Defense Center aims to support the development of a coordinated provincial response mechanism capable of addressing disasters, emergencies and threats to community security.

The initiative underscores the importance of preparedness and collaboration in protecting communities and strengthening Iloilo’s capacity to respond to future crises.