BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera led the 24th Gawad KALASAG Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance National Awarding Ceremony for CAR in Baguio City on Dec.17, 2024.
OCD-CAR Regional Director and Cordillera Regional DRRM Council Chairperson Albert Mogol and invited Guest of Honor and Speaker Secretary Robert Borje, the Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director, led the awarding of the GK Plaque of Recognition to 74 Local government units (LGUs) and 13 private organization/individual.
For the GK Fully Compliant LGU Award, recognized were the Abra Provincial LGU and the municipal LGUs of Bucay, Danglas, La Paz, Lacub, Lagangilang, Lagayan, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Manabo, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, andVillaciosa; The Provincial LGU of Apayao and the municipal LGUs of Calanasan, Conner, Flora, Kabugao, Luna, and Sta. Marcela in Apayao; Atok, Bakun, Kabayan, Kapangan, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay in Benguet; Provincial LGU of Ifugao and the municipal LGUs of Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, Mayoyao and Tinoc in Ifugao; The municipal LGUs of Lubuagan, Pasil, Pinukpuk, Rizal, Tanudan, Tinglayan and Tabuk Cityin Kalinga; and Barlig, Bauko, Besao, Natonin, Paracelis, Sabangan, Sadanga and Sagada in Mountain Province.
The Gawad KALASAG Fully Compliant LGU Awardees are those who are generally adherent to the standards for the establishment and functionality of local DRRM councils/offices as prescribed in the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010 or Republic Act 10121.
For the GK Beyond Compliant LGU Award, awardees are Dolores, San Juan and Tubo inAbra; Pudtol, Apayao; the Benguet Provincial LGUs of Bokod, Buguias, Itogon, Kibungan, LaTrinidad and Mankayan; Asipulo and Lamut in Ifugao; the Kalinga PLGU, and Balbalan, Kalinga; the Mountain Province PLGU, and the municipal LGUs of Bontoc and Tadian.
The Gawad KALASAG Beyond Compliant LGU awardees are those who exceeded the standards for the establishment and functionality of local DRRM councils/offices as prescribed in the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010 or Republic Act 10121.
For the Gawad KALASAG Special Awards, recognized were the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center-Private Hospital Category; Benguet General Hospital-Government Hospital Category; SN Aboitiz Power Benguet-Private Organization; Rafael “Paeng” Valencia-Individual Category; 911 On-Call Inc.-Volunteer Organization category; the University of the Cordilleras-Higher Education Institution category; Mankayan National High School-Public High School Category; and Crystal Cave Elementary School-Public ES category.
Also given recognition as regional finalists were Lepanto National High School of Mankayan, Benguet; Banguitan NHS of Besao, Mountain Province and Mountain Province General Comprehensive HS for the Public High School Category; and Tadian Central School of Mountain Province for the Public Elementary School category.
Plaque of commendation also awarded to the Cordillera RDRRMC member agencies and private organizations for their valuable contributions and continuing commitment in the council’s DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation programs and initiatives that aim to ensure disaster-resilient and climate-adaptive communities in Cordillera.
Borje, in his keynote message, lauded all the awardees and the members of the Cordillera Regional DRRM Council as he called for a continuing partnership in championing disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
“Your selfless dedication to public safety and community resilience is a testament to our goal – to make the Philippines more prepared to the impact of climate change. The Climate Change Commission stands with you in this fight,” Borje stressed.
“Our pledge, we the Climate Change Commission, will be with you in the continuing fight and battle against climate change. Our vow and our respect goes to all of the agencies, to all the frontliners, who, for us, are our heroes,” he added.
“As we reflect on the challenges we have faced over the past year, whether from natural hazards or humanitarian crisis, we are reminded on the importance of unity in our response. These efforts of our LGUs, the civil society organizations, the community members, have paved the way for effective disaster management practices that not only protect life but also empower our communities,” Mogol stressed. (CCD/PIA CAR)
