BACOLOD City – Two volunteer rescue groups in this region have separately signed an agreement with the Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) for the use of P300,000 cash incentive each received as among the winners of the 21st Gawad Kalasag.
A copy of the uniform memorandum of agreement (MOA) obtained by the Philippine News Agency from the OCD-6 on Feb. 20 showed the two groups as the Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade (AVFB) of this city and the Kami Sunoi (Kami ang Mabulig sa Inyo Saligan Utod Ninyo sa Oras sang Ital-Ital Inc.) from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
“The recipient shall utilize the incentive only for the implementation of programs, activities, and projects aligned with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, Local Climate Action Plan, Philippine Development Plan, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goals,” the MOA said.
The recipient would also be needed to submit a project proposal, including other pertinent documents needed for infrastructure projects or procurement of vehicle or equipment, as well as maintain a separate book of accounts for the fund, issue an official receipt, and create a team responsible for the project implementation.
OCD-6 regional director Jose Roberto Nuñez signed the MOA on behalf of the agency with AVFB fire chief Mike Gorne in rites held at the Bacolod City Government Center, in the presence of Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Feb18.
The other
MOA inked by Nuñez was with Kami Sunoi Inc. forefounder Patrick Mabag at the
Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson acted as the
witness.
The Amity group was named as the Western Visayas’ top winner and Hall of Fame
awardee under the Volunteer Organization category, while the Kami Sunoi Inc.
was the winner of the Best People’s Organization during the national awarding
ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City
last December.
The Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan), organized by the Department of National Defense-OCD and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, recognizes the exemplary efforts in empowering communities to be capacitated and disaster-resilient.(With a report from PNA/PN)
