THE City of San Fernando shone anew in the 20th Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) Regional Awards held Thursday, July 26, at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark Freeport after the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Central Luzon and the Office of Civil Defense regional office (OCD-3) recognized the local government unit’s efforts in disaster resilience and preparedness.
San Fernando’s City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) was named Best Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for component city category.
The OCD Central Luzon regional office (OCD-3) noted that the CDRRMC has shown exemplary performance in sustaining its excellence in implementing the comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management-Climate Change Adaptation (DRRM-CCA) programs in the City of San Fernando.
The OCD-3 said San Fernando’s CDRRMC has fully covered the four thematic areas of DRRM-CCA including prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery and rehabilitation in the previous year.
Meanwhile, the San Fernando Rescue Unit or SAFRU was named Best Local Government Emergency Management and Response Team for its exemplary performance in the field of search and rescue, through its continuous innovation and acquisition of intensive training and state-of-the-art equipment.
Gawad Kalasag aims to recognize outstanding performances of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) in promoting and implementing significant DRRM-CCA programs and innovations.
Mayor Edwin Santiago said the city is thankful to OCD for giving recognition to all LDRRMCs and rescue units in the region, making them more inspired to achieve excellence in disaster response and preparedness.
He added that more than the plaques and the trophies, it’s the heart of CDRRMC and SAFRU that really pushes them to do best.
The City of San Fernando is set to represent Central Luzon in the upcoming Gawad Kalasag national awards which will be held before the year ends. (JTD)