The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) recently honored the 2016 Regional Gawad Kalasag winners in a Filipiniana-themed ceremony at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.
Pampanga was named Best Provincial DRRMC, Olongapo as Best City DRRMC-Highly Urbanized category, Cabanatuan as Best City DRRMC-Component category, Dipaculao in Aurora as Best Municipal DRRMC-1st to 3rd class category, Del Rosario in the City of San Fernando as Best Barangay DRRMC-Urban category, and Pagas in Cabanatuan City as Best Barangay DRRMC-Rural category.
Also, Olongapo City Fire and Rescue as Best Government Emergency Response Management (GEM)-Urban Search and Rescue, Tarlac Disaster Assistance Response Team as Best GEM-Basic Search and Rescue category, Mariveles Mental Hospital as Best Hospital- DOH retained category, James Gordon Memorial Hospital as Best Hospital-Local Government Unit category, Camp Tinio National High School in Cabanatuan City as Best School in DRRM-Public Urban category, and Cupang Elementary School in Bataan as Best School in DRRM-Public Rural category.
“Kalasag, which stands for KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan, is the National and Regional DRRMC’s recognition scheme in its search for excellence on DRRM and humanitarian assistance, initiated in 1998,” Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director and Regional DRRMC Chairperson Josefina Timoteo said.
It is the mechanism in obtaining sustained commitment and support by recognizing exceptional contributions of DRRM practitioners in strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacities of nations and communities to disaster risks.
“Kalasag aims to recognize the outstanding performance of Local DRRMCs, Civil Society Organizations and major stakeholders in promoting and implementing significant DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation programs and innovations; and heroic acts of individuals, groups or institutions during natural or human-induced disasters,” Timoteo added.
First place winners are automatically Central Luzon’s bets to the national competition.
Other winners were: Angeles as 2nd Best CDRRMC-Highly Urbanized category, San Fernando as 2nd Best CDRRMC-Component category, Balanga as 3rd Best CDRRMC-Component category, and Tortugas in Balanga City as 2nd Best BDRRMC-Rural category.
Also, Bulacan Rescue as 2nd Best GEM-Basic Search and Rescue category, San Fernando Rescue Unit as 3rd Best GEM-Basic Search and Rescue category, Bataan General Hospital as 2nd Best Hospital- DOH retained category, Nuestra Senora Del Pilar Integrated School as 2nd Best School in DRRM-Public Urban category, Lazaro Francisco Elementary School as 3rd Best School in DRRM-Public Urban category, and Palayan City Central School as 2nd Best School in DRRM-Public Rural category.
“To the awardees, thank you for the wholehearted dedication and tireless efforts in implementing DRRM. Your contributions certainly add to the efforts of ensuring preparedness all over the region and in the safety of our constituencies as well,” Timoteo furthered.
“Let’s all share our knowledge and skills, enhance cooperation, and work towards the attainment of safer, adaptive, and resilient communities. Let all our efforts geared towards One Region, One Response!” she stressed.
Regional Winners were selected by a committee composed of representatives from OCD, Department of Science and Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Health, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Red Cross.