GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The emergency response and aviation safety capabilities of the General Santos City International Airport received a major boost following the blessing and unveiling of a newly acquired 6×6 Oshkosh Fire Truck, a modern Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle, during a ceremony held on May 14, 2026 at the airport’s ARFF Station Building.
The event was attended by officials and representatives from various government agencies and private sector organizations, highlighting a united effort to strengthen disaster preparedness and public safety in the region.
Leading the attendees was the Office of Civil Defense Region XII headed by Regional Director Rodrigo O. Sosmeña, which joined the ceremony as a partner agency in emergency management and disaster response.
Airport officials said the acquisition of the state-of-the-art Oshkosh ARFF vehicle forms part of the airport’s continuing compliance with international aviation safety standards. The new firefighting unit is expected to significantly improve the airport’s capability to respond to aircraft emergencies, fires, and other critical incidents within the airport premises.
The newly commissioned 6×6 Oshkosh fire truck is designed specifically for airport rescue and firefighting operations, equipped with advanced suppression systems, rapid response features, and high-capacity firefighting equipment intended for aviation-related emergencies.
Representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection, the Local Government Unit of General Santos City, and the South Cotabato Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce also attended the ceremony and commended the airport administration for prioritizing aviation safety and strengthening emergency preparedness measures.
Officials emphasized that the acquisition not only enhances operational readiness at the airport but also contributes to the overall safety and confidence of passengers, airline operators, and stakeholders using the General Santos City International Airport.
The development comes amid continued efforts by government agencies and airport authorities to modernize airport facilities and ensure compliance with global aviation safety requirements, especially in rapidly growing regional transport hubs such as General Santos City.