THE Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council III (RDRRMC)-Central Luzon on Friday, July 26, recognized the winners of this year’s Regional Gawad Kalasag in a ceremony held at the Asean Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone.
Several provinces, cities, towns, hospitals and schools, as well as local rescue units across the region received the coveted award for their exemplary performance in sustaining excellence in implementing the comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaption Programs.
Central Luzon Office of Civil Defense (OCD) director and RDRRMC chairperson Marlou Salazar, who led the conferment of awards along with OCD deputy administrator assistant secretary Casiano Monilla, said the winners excelled in either of the four thematic areas they belonged such as in Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and Rehabilitation in the year 2018.
Under the Local DRRMC category, first place finishers were Pampanga (Province), Angeles (Highly-Urbanized City), City of San Fernando (Component City), Baler, Aurora (1st-3rd Class Municipality), and Pagas, Cabanatuan City (Barangay-Rural).
Other finishers in the Local DRRMC category include Bataan (Province, 1st runner-up); Palayan (Component City, 1st runner-up); Balanga (Component City, 2nd runner-up); Gerona, Tarlac (1st runner-up, 1st - 3rd Class Municipality); Mariveles, Bataan (2nd runner-up, 1st - 3rd Class Municipality); and Tortugas, Balanga City (1st runner-up, Barangay-Rural).
Moreover, victors in the School category were Alas Asin Elementary School from Mariveles, Bataan (Public Elementary School); Camp Tinio National High School from Cabanatuan City (Public High School); Sindalan National Child Development Center from City of San Fernando (Child Development Center); and Tarlac Agricultural University from Camiling, Tarlac (Higher Education Institution).
Other victors in the School category include General Mamerto Natividad Central School from General Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija (1st runner-up, Public Elementary School); Mabayuan Elementary School from Olongapo City (2nd runner-up, Public Elementary School); Maruhat National High School from Gapan City (1st runner-up, Public High School); and San Jose City National High School from San Jose City (2nd runner-up, Public High School).
Hospital category winners include Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center from Cabanatuan City (National Government Hospital), Mariveles Mental Hospital from Bataan (Government Specialty Hospital), and James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital from Olongapo City (Local Government Unit Hospital).
Other hospital category winners are Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital from the City of San Fernando (1st runner-up, National Government Hospital), Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center from Balanga City (2nd runner-up, National Government Hospital), and Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital in Pampanga (1st runner-up, Local Government Unit Hospital).
The Bulacan Rescue was also recognized as the Best Local Government Emergency Management and Response Team for its exemplary performance in sustaining its invaluable and selfless service to the residents of Bulacan and in the region. Bulacan Rescue has proven itself as an exemplary in the field of search and rescue through its continuous innovation and acquisition of intensive training and state of the art equipment.
San Fernando Rescue Unit from the City of San Fernando, Pampanga and Palayan City Rescue were named 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up in the Best Local Government Emergency Management and Response Team, respectively.
The Heroic Act award was awarded to the Tactical Operations Group III of the Philippine Air Force for showing exemplary and distinguished heroism in providing and performing various Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations and for continuously improving its state of preparation by acquiring trainings and participating in minor and major disaster mitigation and response activities,” Salazar added.
All first place finishers will be Central Luzon’s entries to the national competition were Pampanga and Mariveles Mental Hospital are defending winners.
They were selected by a Regional Selection Committee composed of representatives from OCD, Bureau of Fire Protection, Army 7thInfantry Division, Air Force Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Central Luzon-Center for Health Development, Police Regional Office 3, Pagasa Pampanga River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, and Philippine Information Agency.