ILOILO City – Several local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas were recognized in the recent Gawad KALASAG Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance.
The provinces of Antique, Capiz and Guimaras were “Beyond Compliant” awardees for the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Councils and Offices category.
Also recognized as “Beyond Compliant” LGUs were the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod; the municipalities of Dumalag and Panit-an in Capiz; Bago City and Sipalay City in Negros Occidental; and Malay town in Aklan.
Meanwhile, awarded as “Fully Compliant” were the provinces of Aklan, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
Other “Fully Compliant” awardees were Passi City and the towns of Bingawan, Calinog, Dingle, Lambunao, Leon, Maasin, Mina, Pavia, and Tubungan in Iloilo; Sibunag town in Guimaras; cities of Silay, San Carlos, La Carlota, Talisay, and Himamaylan as well as the towns of Isabela and EB Magalona in Negros Occidental; towns of Dumarao, Jamindan, Maayon, and Tapaz in Capiz; towns of Barbaza, Culasi, San Jose de Buenavista, and Valderrama in Antique; and Altavas, Kalibo, New Washington, and Numancia in Aklan.
The recognition was given by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the National Gawad KALASAG Committee.
KALASAG stands for KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan.
As provided for in the NDRRMC MC No. 2–2022, the Gawad Kalasag Seal for Local DRRM Councils/Offices is envisioned to serve as a performance assessment mechanism for all LGUs as they implement the provisions of Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and other DRRM-related policies.
It was aimed as a mechanism to obtain sustained commitment and support by recognizing exceptional contributions of DRRM practitioners in strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacities of various aspects of society and communities to disaster risks.
This year, there were a total of 135 “Beyond Compliant” and 436 “Fully Compliant” LGU awardees./PN
