LA TRINIDAD was hailed as the best Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) for the 1st to 3rd class category in the recently concluded 2018 Gawad Kalasag National Awards.

The award was received by MDDRM officer Yoshio Labi and La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Ricardo Jalad and NDDRMC Chairman Delfin Lorenzana.

“For putting value on its indigenous practices as an effective tool for reducing risk from natural hazard-related disasters, these accomplishments are notable contribution s to the national effort to build a safer climate change adaptive and disaster resilient Philippines, worthy of emulation by our people and recognition from Gawad KALASAG,” the citation reads.

Yoshio Labi, La Trinidad MDDRM officer, stated the climate change adaptation programs of the municipality, support of the local council to disaster risk response have paved the way for the municipality to strengthen disaster mitigation efforts.

Adopt-an-Estero, Green Building Program, Bantay Basura, and Car-less Day, among others, were cited as the best practices of the valley.

The P500,000 cash incentive, the mayor added, will be set aside for its volunteers and for the MDDRMC programs, projects and activities.

Labi added the Gawad Kalasag remain as monitoring and evaluation tool for their office to see improvements and serve as an eye opener to other members of the DRRM council to strengthen its implementation.

The official added the award will also help sustain and strengthen the Philippine DRRM system.

Gawad Kalasag search for excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance aims to recognize groups, institutions and individuals that shows courage, heroism and sacrifice before, during and after disasters or emergencies whether natural or human induced.

Other first class municipalities that vied for the award include Baler, Aurora and Carmona, Cavite.