Coast Guard stages 2026 water, search, rescue Olympics

MASBATE CITY --- Emergency responders from various towns and provinces across the country are gathering this week in Cataingan, Masbate province, as the 2026 National Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Olympics officially kicks off today, Monday, June 22.

The WASAR Olympics will take place at Matayum Lagoon from June 22 to June 24, featuring numerous water, search, and rescue teams competing in simulated emergency scenarios, including knot-tying relays, rubberboat paddling, spinal injury management, and 50-meter swimming relays.

WASAR operations are conducted to safely and efficiently locate, access, and rescue people in aquatic emergencies, such as floods, shipwrecks, and drowning incidents.

Commodore Ivan Roldan, the Coast Guard District Bicol commander, stated that this intense competition aims to enhance the disaster response capabilities of frontline responders.

Organized as the highlight of the “Bagat Dagat Festival”, the event is being hosted by the provincial government of Masbate.

It is designed to significantly improve the operational readiness of local, regional, and national WASAR teams in the country, according to Roldan.

As communities become increasingly vulnerable to climate phenomena, particularly in coastal areas, the initiative takes on critical national importance, Governor Ricardo Kho said.

This year’s Olympics is the second edition of the event. In the inaugural WASAR Olympics last year, the WASAR team from the fishing town of Monreal, Masbate, was declared the champion. (PIA Bicol/Masbate)