THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas recognized Friday, August 4, the outstanding local government units, groups and institutions that exemplified excellence in disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) and humanitarian assistance through the virtue of the Gawad Kalasag Award.
Kalasag stands for “Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan.” This year, the OCD-Western Visayas is celebrating its 19th Gawad Kalasag Regional Awards.
In his speech, Executive Director of the National DRRM Council and Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad commended the winners for their "aggressive and active" DRRM performance.
He specifically recognized the exemplary leadership of the local chief executives and DRRM managers for working hard in implementing the DRRM plans and mechanics, and for empowering the communities to become disaster resilient.
Below are the winners:
Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
1. Capiz
2. Aklan
3. Guimaras
Best City DRRMC: Roxas City
Best Municipal DRRMC, 1st to 3rd class municipality
1. Malay, Aklan
2. Sibalom, Antique
3. Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
Best Municipal DRRMC, 4th to 6th class municipality
1. Malinao, Aklan
Some barangay DRRM committees were also recognized.
Urban Barangay: Barangay Semirara, Caluya, Antique
Rural Barangay: Barangay Sipitan-Badiang, Guimbal, Iloilo
Best Volunteer Organization: Boracay Fire and Rescue Volunteer in Malay, Aklan
Best Government Emergency Management Service under the Basic Search and Rescue
1. Capiz Emergency Responders Team of Capiz
2. Oton Search and Rescue Team of Oton, Iloilo
Advance Search and Rescue: Special Operations Unit of Kalibo, Aklan
Best School/Public Schools in rural category
1. Villafont Elementary School in Sibalom, Antique
2. Don Conrado Barrios Elementary School in Roxas City, Capiz
Best School/Public Schools in urban category
1. President Manuel Roxas Memorial School in Roxas City, Capiz
Best Learning Centers: Sipitan Day Care Center
Best Higher Education Institutions
1. Capiz State University, Capiz
2. St. Gabriel College, Kalibo, Aklan
Best Hospital: Panay Health Care Multi-Purpose Cooperative Hospital, Kalibo, Aklan
Jalad urged the winners to continue their efforts and become effective instruments in DRRM.
"May you become more effective as we are tested by time and various hazards we need to address. May you be relentless in reinventing your strategies so that you will always remain responsive," he added.
This year's Gawag Kalasag awarding ceremony was conducted at Smallville 21 Hotel in Iloilo City. (PNA)