CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The CALABARZON Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), under the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) CALABARZON, extend their commendation to the exemplary dedication by Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs) for the swift and effective humanitarian response during natural calamities and crises in the region.
Held at the Twin Lakes Hotel in Laurel, Batangas, on December 20, 2023, the regional awarding of the 23rd Gawad KALASAG Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance became a pivotal moment for the recognition of local disaster response officials, individuals, and organizations in fortifying disaster risk reduction and management efforts.
The Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan), derived from the Filipino term for shield or ‘kalasag,’ used historically for protection, stands as the nation’s premier recognition scheme for stakeholders involved in designing and implementing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) programs. These programs aim to safeguard high-risk communities against hazards and enhance their capabilities to address vulnerabilities and cope with disasters.
The ceremony acknowledged 20 Beyond Compliant Local DRRM Councils and Offices across CALABARZON, including the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon, and 62 Fully Compliant LGUs in the region including the province of Rizal for their successful implementation of their response programs.
RDRRMC Calabarzon also gave recognition to some schools, individuals, volunteer organizations, hospitals, and government emergency response teams for having been selected in the National Gawad Kalasag Special Awards. This includes the Niogan Elementary School for being a National Finalist in the Public Elementary Schools Category; Tanay Mountaineers, Inc. in the Volunteer Organization Category; Biñan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for the Government Emergency Management and Response Teams (Advance) Category; Kasiglahan Village National High School for the Public High Schools Category; Batangas State University The National Engineering University for the Higher Education Institutions Category.
Special recognition is also given to the Batangas Medical Center and Nasugbu Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Alexander James Pimentel for the Individual Category.
RDRRMC Chairperson and OCD CALABARZON Regional Director Carlos Eduardo Alvarez III extended heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to the awardees.
Alvarez said that their exceptional dedication and selflessness echoed a shared vision of fostering community resilience, ensuring a safer, adaptive, and disaster-resilient CALABARZON region.
“All of you are strong partners of the RDRRMC and the Office of Civil Defense in the real embodiment of the “kalasag”. This recognition serves as a platform in the continued quest to strengthen our disaster risk reduction measures and promote resiliency”, the director adds.
In a video message, Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said, “We commend the best practices and managing your areas of responsibilities amidst threats. I encourage each of you to continue striving for excellence in the delivery of our committed service to our people to us achieve greater heights in this line of work.”
“Aasahan ko ang inyong patuloy na pagsuporta sa programang magtataguyod ng isang mas ligtas, panatag at matatag na Bagong Pilipinas.” Usec. Nepomuceno added. (MBL, PIA-4A)
For the full list of Beyond Compliant and Fully Compliant local DRRM Councils and offices in the Calabarzon region, visit the Facebook page of PIA Calabarzon.
