RDRRMC 3 recognizes 21st Regional Gawad Kalasag winners

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga — Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 3 (RDRRMC 3) recognized Friday the winners of the 21^st Regional Gawad Kalasag.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Casiano C. Monilla and OCD Regional Director and RDRRMC 3 Chairperson Marlou L. Salazar led the conferment of awards in a ceremony held at ASEAN Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone.

“Winners were recognized for exemplary performance in sustaining excellence in implementing the comprehensive DRR-Climate Change Adaption Programs in their respective areas covering the four thematic areas namely Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and Rehabilitation in the year 2018,” Salazar said.

Under the Local DRRMC category, first place finishers were Pampanga (Province); Angeles (Highly-Urbanized City); San Fernando (Component City); Baler, Aurora (1^st-3^rdClass Municipality); and Pagas, Cabanatuan City (Barangay-Rural).

Other finishers in the Local DRRMC category include Bataan (Province, 1^strunner-up); Palayan (Component City, 1^strunner-up); Balanga (Component City, 2^ndrunner-up); Gerona, Tarlac (1^strunner-up, 1^st-3^rdClass Municipality); Mariveles, Bataan (2^ndrunner-up, 1^st-3^rdClass Municipality); and Tortugas, Balanga City (1^strunner-up, Barangay-Rural).

Moreover, victors in the School category wereAlas Asin Elementary School from Mariveles, Bataan (Public Elementary School); Camp Tinio National High School from Cabanatuan City (Public High School); Sindalan National Child Development Center from City of San Fernando (Child Development Center); and Tarlac Agricultural University from Camiling, Tarlac (Higher Education Institution).

Other victors in the School category include General Mamerto Natividad Central School from General Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija (1^strunner-up, Public Elementary School); Mabayuan Elementary School from Olongapo City (2^ndrunner-up, Public Elementary School); Maruhat National High School from Gapan City (1^strunner-up, Public High School); and San Jose City National High School from San Jose City (2^ndrunner-up, Public High School).

Hospital category winners, on the other hand, include Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center from Cabanatuan City (National Government Hospital), Mariveles Mental Hospital from Bataan (Government Specialty Hospital), and James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital from Olongapo City (Local Government Unit Hospital).

Other hospital category winners are Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital from the City of San Fernando (1^strunner-up, National Government Hospital), Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center from Balanga City (2^ndrunner-up, National Government Hospital), and Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital in Pampanga (1^strunner-up, Local Government Unit Hospital).

“Bulacan Rescue was recognized as the Best Local Government Emergency Management and Response Team for its exemplary performance in sustaining its invaluable and selfless service to the residents of Bulacan and in the region. Bulacan Rescue has proven itself as an exemplary in the field of search and rescue through its continuous innovation and acquisition of intensive training and state of the art equipment,” Salazar said.

San Fernando Rescue Unit from the City of San Fernando and Palayan City Rescue were named 1^strunner-up and 2^ndrunner-up in the Best Local Government Emergency Management and Response Team, respectively.

“And lastly, we conferred the Heroic Act award to the Tactical Operations Group 3 of the Philippine Air Force for showing exemplary and distinguished heroism in providing and performing various Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations and for continuously improving its state of preparation by acquiring trainings and participating in minor and major disaster mitigation and response activities,” Salazar added.

All first place finishers will be Central Luzon’s entries to the national competition were Pampanga and Mariveles Mental Hospital are defending winners.

They were selected by a Regional Selection Committee composed of representatives from OCD, Bureau of Fire Protection, Army 7^thInfantry Division, Air Force Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Central Luzon-Center for Health Development, Police Regional Office 3, PAG-ASA Pampanga River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, and Philippine Information Agency.