BAGUIO CITY – Seventeen (17) winners of the search for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), and humanitarian assistance are set to be recognized by the Cordillera Gawad KALASAG Regional Selection Committee (RSC).
According to Civil Defense Cordillera Dir. Andrew Alex Uy, the RSC proclaims this year’s winners under nine (9) categories, and are entitled to receive plaques of recognition and cash incentives to be spent for their DRRM-related programs.
Mountain Province is still the best provincial DRRM council for the last three consecutive years. Meanwhile, under the municipal DRRM council (1st to 3rd class) category, La Trinidad MDRRMC remains undefeated while the municipality of Buguias in Benguet is ranked second, and Luna in Apayao gets third place.
Municipality of Bucay in Abra, first-timer entrant, rejoices as the sole winner under Best MDRRMC (4th – 6th class) category.
For the first time, the RSC is giving recognition to two (2) deserving barangays in La Trinidad, Benguet namely Brgy Ambiong as the first placer, and Brgy Puguis ranked as second.
Also consistent in bagging Gawad KALASAG award is the University of the Cordilleras (UC) competing under the Higher Education Institution category.
Among the winners are six (6) public schools in Mt Province and Benguet. For public elementary schools (ES) category, Paoad ES in Tublay wins along with Mount Data ES in Bauko as second, and Cagubatan ES in Tadian as third placer.
Under public high schools (HS) category, Lepanto National HS in Mankayan is the best school together with Banguitan National HS in Besao ranked second while Mil-an National HS gets third spot.
Two (2) volunteer organizations are to be recognized for their preparedness and response efforts – ranked as first is the Loacan Health Emergency Response Team from Itogon, Benguet while next in rank is Baguio City’s 911 on-call.
The RSC also gives special recognition to Itogon Municipal Health Services Office under Government Emergency Management Services (GEMS) category.
Regional winners will receive cash incentives as follows: P50,000.00 for first placers; P30,000.00 for second placers; and third placers will get P15,000.00.
National awardees shall receive plaques and monetary awards, as follows: P500,000.00 for winners; two (2) more nominees under local DRRMC category will get P200,000.00. Further, winners under other categories shall receive P300,000.00 while two (2) nominees for each category will be given P100,000.00.
All regional first placers will be representing the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) at the national level.
By Franzes Ivy Carasi
