BAGUIO CITY—Ten local governments and private organizations regionwide were this year’s recipients of the 2016 regional Gawad Kaligtasan at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan or KALASAG awards for their exemplary performance in disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adoption in their respective fields of expertise.
Deputy Administrator Christopher James Purisima of the Office of Civil Defense and OCD-CAR Regional Director Andrew Alex Uy handed out the trophies during the awarding ceremonies held at the CAP John Hay Trade and Cultural Center.
OCD-CAR confers the Gawad KALASAG to local governments and private organizations that excel in implementing disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation programs vital in empowering communities regionwide.
Uy expressed optimism that more LGUs and private organizations will be empowered to join the awards in the future because of the successful implementation of the initiative regionwide.
Apayao was adjudged the best provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, while Mountain Province placed second.
For the city level, the Baguio City DRRMC bested other cities in the region for the coveted award.
In the first to third-class municipality category, La Trinidad led by Mayor Romeo Salda placed first and Luna, Apayao led by Major Josephine Bangsil placed second.
Tublay in Benguet, headed by Mayor Armando Lauro, emerged the best municipal disaster risk reduction council for the fourth to sixth class municipality division.
The University of the Cordilleras was the runaway winner for the best school urban category for the third consecutive year, while the Baguio-Benguet Public Information and Civic Action Group was adjudged the best volunteer group private category.
For the best government emergency management team, the Tuba fire station emerged the winner for the second straight year, while the Baguio City Emergency Medical Services landed second.
Aside from the giant trophies, first-place winners received separate checks amounting to P50,000 each, while second placers received checks for P30,000.
The OCD-CAR also recognized the significant contributions of its DRRM partners through the DRRM Commitment Award individual category.
Trophies were handed to Nerissa Barbosa, Benguet DRRM coordinator for DepEd; Abner Lawangen, Tublay MDRRMO; Erosbon Sabedo, Licuan-Baay MDRRMO; lawyer Edward Chumawar, PDRRMO; Yoshio Labi, La Trinidad MDRRMO and PSSUPT Angelito Casimiro, PROCOR deputy for Operations.
The regional office also issued citations to its DRRM partners that resulted in successful of plans and programs before, during and after the onslaught of Super Typhoon "Lawin" in the region.
