The province of Catanduanes and eight (8) municipalities have been named as awardees of the 24th Gawad KALASAG Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance set to be given this Dec. 11, 2024 in Iloilo City.
The annual recognition conferred by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) acknowledges the exceptional contributions of local DRRM practitioners in enhancing disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.
Earning the award for the second straight year is the municipality of Virac, which will be joined in the limelight by the local government units of Baras, Bato, Gigmoto, Pandan, San Andres, San Miguel, and Viga.
The Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) celebrates the exceptional efforts of provincial, city, and municipal DRRM councils and offices, along with other special categories. It honors their commitment to excellence in the field, advancing disaster preparedness and risk reduction to create safer and more adaptive communities.
It also given for the LGUs’ adherence to the standards for the establishment and functionality of the LDRRMCs and LDRRMOs as mandated under Republic Act No. 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
Derived from the Filipino term for “shield,” kalasag historically served as a protective barrier against adversaries and harmful elements. Correspondingly, the recognition was conceived to function as a shield for high-risk communities, fostering the active engagement of various stakeholders in designing and implementing effective DRRM programs.
During the last super typhoon that hit the island last month, disaster officials reported no fatalities or injuries.