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Announcement3 MAR 2026
The third search launches in Fire Prevention Month
TOFF 2026 was launched on 3 March at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, in a month of fire-safety events by SM and the BFP.
Compiled from published reports2 min read
The third Search for the Ten Outstanding Firefighters of the Philippines was launched on 3 March 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City. DILG Undersecretary Rolando C. Puno, who chaired the 2025 Board of Judges, was guest of honor and spoke at the launch. The 2025 judges attended as well.
The organizers describe this year’s search as recognizing work in fire safety and protection, emergency response, community education and resilience-building. SM Prime, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the DILG are named as partners.
A month of fire safety
The launch was one of several events that SM and the BFP held during Fire Prevention Month.
- ~30,000took part in the 5th SM and BFP nationwide simultaneous fire drill
- 16SM malls hosted the Fire Square Road Show, with 8,611 participants
- 263fire trucks and emergency vehicles formed a Venus symbol at the MOA Globe
The month opened on 1 March, when the SM Mall of Asia Globe was lit purple for a joint Women’s Month and Fire Prevention Month and for the start of SM Cares’ month-long advocacy with the BFP. The fire drill drew about 30 percent more participants than the year before, and the Venus symbol formation drew 2,827 participants.
The theme
Fire Prevention Month 2026 ran under the theme “Sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa”: in preventing fires, you are not alone.
Where the search stands
By October, national selection interviews had narrowed 58 nominees to 20 finalists. Final interviews are set for 8–9 November at SM Prime headquarters. Read about the Top 20.