THE City of Bago was awarded first place in all four categories during the 20th Gawad Kalasag Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance in rites held in Iloilo City Convention Center.

The Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office bagged the Best Component City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRMM) Council in Western Visayas.

Other winners from Bago include Barangay Busay as Best Barangay DRRM-Rural; General Juan Araneta Elementary School won Best Schools Primary Public Elementary; and City of Bago Emergency Response Team was the Best Local Government Emergency Management.

DRRM head Merijene Ortizo said each category winner received a plaque and P50,000 in cash.

Bago Mayor Nicholas Yulo congratulated all the winners and thanked them for their "passion, dedication and contribution to the disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance of the City." (PR)