Pampanga Grand Winner in 20th Gawad Kalasag National Awards

QUEZON CITY — Pampanga Province bagged the Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance Award plus cash incentives amounting to P500,000 given by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) during its 20th Gawad Kalasag National Awards on Tuesday.

The award was personally received by Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, 3rd District Board Member Rosve V. Henson, Angelina S. Blanco, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Liga ng mga Barangay President Renato ‘Gabby’ L. Mutuc, Elizabeth E. Baybayan, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Provincial Engineer Olimpio ‘Noli’ Pangan, Dr. Augusto S. Baluyut Jr. head of the Provincial Veterinary Office, Provincial Budget Officer Rima K. Bondoc, Engineer Josefina ‘Pines’ N. Pineda, Dr. Marcelo Y. Jaochico, provincial health officer, F/Supt. Myra N. Feliciano, provincial fire marshal, Joel Mapiles, head of the Provincial Information Office, Francis Maslog, head of the General Services Office, among others.

The national Gawad Kalasag awards search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance was signed by National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, chairperson, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad, executive director, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Civil Defense administrator.

The award says that Pampanga has been chosen for its effective utilization of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Funds to address risk-based issues, thereby, ensuring that response actions in times of disasters are in place.

It also recognizes the efficient and innovative DRRM systems, processes and protocols as demonstrated in its reporting system, incident command system, contingency planning, communication flow, and response operations, including advanced collapsed structure search and rescue, vehicular extrication, among others, complemented with emergency medical and communication equipment and facilities and appropriate provision of capacity building of DRRM personnel to build and continuously enhance the province’s preparedness and response capabilities.

The officials of the NDRMMC also cited Pampanga for its heightening disaster risk awareness and promoting inclusive participation through the involvement of Nanay community workers’ education, business communities in the information education and communication on DRRM;

They also specifically lauded the efforts of the Provincial Government of Pampanga for undertaking disaster prevention and mitigation measures through the year-round desilting of rivers and waterways to address flood susceptibilities in the communities.

The NDRRMC also praised the comprehensive and in-depth assessment of disaster risks which allowed for the conduct of house to house tagging ensuring that most vulnerable families are prioritized during pre-emptive evacuation, rescue operations and camp management.

They also extolled the province for showcasing eco-friendly and gender-responsive permanent evacuation centers which can accommodate enough number of evacuees with complete facilities applying the Build Back Better principle to ensure the safety of evacuees.

According to USEC Jalad and Secretary Lorenzana, the accomplishments of the provincial government of Pampanga are all notable contribution to the national effort to build a safer, climate change adaptive and disaster resilient Philippines, worthy of emulation by our people and recognition from the Gawad Kalasag.

Moreover, Angeles City and the City of San Fernando landed second place in the search for 20th National Gawad Awards for Best Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance Award for highly urbanized city and component city, respectively. They were also given P200,000 each.

The other two finalists for Best Provincial DRRM are the Provinces of Quirino and Dinagat Islands who also received Plaque of Appreciation and P200,000 each.

The awarding was held at AFP Theater, De Jesus Avenue, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. –JOEL P. MAPILES

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