11 government and non-government bodies receive Gawad Kalasag Award in R-XI

DAVAO CITY, Dec 23 (PIA) The  Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Davao Region granted 11 disaster councils, schools and rescue groups the Gawad Kalasag award based on their readiness and response capabilities in a simply rites at the Pinnacle Hotel.

The Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan award) is given to individuals, non-government organizations, private sector and government organizations in recognition of their initiative in helping the Filipino government uplift the standard of disaster management in the country.

Retired Brig. General Loreto Rirao, director of the Office of Civil Defense 11 and chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council led the ceremony and cited the awardees this year.

He said the awardees perform well in the DRRM this year.

“They are worthy of emulation, the basis of which others may learn,” Rirao said.

Franz Irag, operations staff of the RDRRMC 11 said top awardees included Davao City as the outstanding disaster risk reduction and management council for highly urbanized areas; Tagum City disaster risk reduction and management council and the Island Garden City of Samal DRRMC for outstanding component cities with IGACOS to represent in the national level; Kapalong Municipal DRRMC as the most outstanding municipal DRRMC; Davao Oriental DRRMC as the most outstanding provincial DRRMC.

He said the RDRRMC 11 also acknowledged the private volunteer organizations like the Davao Fire and Rescue Services of Davao City and the Ranger Volunteer and Dream 166 all based in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

Irag said the disaster preparedness and readiness of the San Pedro College, Panabo National High School and Rocamora Rabat Elementary School in Mati City, Davao Oriental were also given due recognition. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)