MISAMIS ORIENTAL — Authorities in this island province are ramping up security measures ahead of the annual San Juan sa Hibok-Hibok and Hibok-Hibokan 2026 celebrations, while local officials highlight progress in community health and nutrition.

The Camiguin Police Provincial Office has intensified crime prevention and tourist protection operations to accommodate thousands of expected visitors. Police Capt. Maochin Zayas, platoon leader of the Camiguin Mobile Force Platoon, said a visible police presence serves as the primary deterrent against illegal activities.

“The mere presence of the police prevents people with bad intentions,” Zayas said in Cebuano, noting that checkpoints, roving patrols, and inspections at key entry points are active.

Supporting the security drive is the Tourist Police Unit, which has deployed personnel to popular destinations, including Mantigue Island and White Island. Police Lt. Cyrel Postrero, unit supervisor, said the unit will focus on crowd management and visitor assistance during the festival.

Postrero added that personnel undergo continuous training with the Department of Tourism to improve service delivery. He cited that most recent reports of lost items have been resolved, with four to five missing mobile phones already returned to their owners.

Alongside festival preparations, local governments are advancing public health initiatives. The municipality of Guinsiliban is vying for the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Award, a recognition given by the National Nutrition Council to local government units with sustained excellence in nutrition governance.

The town underwent an assessment under the MELLPI Pro protocol last 23 June to verify if its programs meet the standards of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023–2028.

To qualify, a municipality must earn the Green Banner Seal of Compliance for three consecutive years and achieve an evaluation score of at least 90 percent. Guinsiliban received the seal in 2024, making it eligible for this year’s regional evaluation.

Central to the town’s strategy is its Egg-a-Day program, launched in 2015 to combat underweight, wasted, and stunted children. Municipal Nutrition Officer Eres S. Panaligan said the intervention has proven effective, with many children regaining healthy weight within a week.

The town has also expanded training for Barangay Nutrition Scholars and established breastfeeding monitoring teams in six of its seven villages.

Mayor Joanne Marie R. Tan said the local government remains committed to funding these programs and coordinating with national agencies to sustain health gains.

“It is difficult to eradicate malnourishment, but we are doing everything we can to prevent it,” Tan said in Cebuano, adding that feedback from evaluators will help strengthen local programs.

The results of the nutrition assessment will be reviewed later this year, with winners announced during the 2026 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony.