THE City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) of San Fernando was a finalist in the independent or component city category of the 20th Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) National Awards Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance.

The awarding took place inside the AFP Theater, De Jesus Avenue, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, under the initiative of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

According to NDRRMC and OCD, the CDRRMC became a finalist due to its excellent humanitarian efforts and commitment in continuous training and enhancement of its DRRM members, has relevant equipment and facilities, and for putting premium on the safety and protection of its constituents.

Mayor Edwin Santiago together with City Administrator Fernando Limbitco and CDRRMC officer Raymond Del Rosario accepted the plaque of recognition.

Santiago thanked the NDRRMC and OCD for recognizing the service of the city government to all Fernandinos.

The mayor also said that the recognition inspired the city government to develop more groundbreaking strategies in building a safer and disaster resilient community.

“We will be more inclined in creating programs about everyone’s safety. We will not stop giving trainings not only to our rescuers, but also to Fernandinos so that they will be always be ready and alert for any upcoming disaster,” Santiago said.

Last July 26, the CSF-CDRRMC bagged first place for best CDRRMC under the component city category in the recent 20th Gawad KALASAG Regional Awards that was held at the Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino, Clark Freeport Zone. (PR)