THE regional search for Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna LAban, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) 2014 Cordillera awardees is now open.
An annual search since 1998, Gawag Kalasag award is bestowed to outstanding individuals, groups and institutions who exemplify excellence on disaster reduction risk management (DRRM) and humanitarian assistance.
It recognizes outstanding performance of the Local DRRM Councils, civil society groups,schools, hospitals and other major stakeholders in promoting significant DRRM- climate change adaptation(CCA) programs and innovations.
It also commends heroic act of individuals, groups or institutions during natural and human- induced disasters.
Office of Civil Defense acting regional director Andrew Alex Uy, also the Cordillera DRRM Council chair, announced the search has different categories. These are Best DRRM Council in the provincial, city, municipality and barangay level; Best NGOs/CSOs/ Peoples organization on humanitarian assistance; Best Government Emergency Response Management (GEM); Best private/volunteer organizations; Best hospitals; best schools from Early Learning Centers (ELCs) to tertiary level; Best heroic act of individuals and groups during emergency response and rescue operations, and special recognition awards for individuals and stakeholders.
For the Gawad Kalasag search entries, nominees need to submit documentations of their DRRM activities. An assessment tool guide for each award category is available at the OCD office along DPS Compound, Baguio City.
Entries should be submitted at the OCD – CAR or at the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Office on or before April 10.
The top three winners in the national level for each category will receive cash prizes of P100,000 (1st), P75,000 (2nd) and P50,000 (3rd), and plaque of recognition.
Regional Gawad Kalasag winners will also be entered in the national search.
Last year, two Cordillera regional awardees won in the national tilt: the Baguio Benguet-Public Information and Civil Action Group (BB-PICAG) for the Gawad Kalasag National Award for Best Volunteer Organization and teenager Marimar Agnawa for the Heroic Act category.
To date, 98 local DRRM councils, 30 NGOs, 22 individuals and 98 groups/institutions from various parts of the country received are Kalasag awardees. (Carlito Dar)