MANKAYAN, Benguet – Lepanto National High School (LNHS) emerged as the regional champion for the public-rural school category in the 2017 Gawad KALASAG Search of the Cordillera office of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-CAR) after the document assessment and field validation of the regional selection committee on April 3.
Accordingly, to qualify for the top rank, an entry must earn a total of at least 80 points in the prescribed standards and guidelines for evaluation. There is no exact date mentioned by the selection committee for the awarding ceremony, however, Ferdinand Tamulto, OCD-CAR focal person for Gawad KALASAG, said the winners in the four categories shall receive a plaque of recognition and P50,000.00 cash prize to be used for Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) related ventures.
The school personnel, students, PTA officers and members, School Governing Council, the officials of barangay Paco where the school is situated, the municipal officials and the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company rejoiced since their joint efforts resulted in another award that added to the prestige of the school. Good teamwork is the topmost weapon of the school behind all their successes coupled with the selfless service exemplified by each one. The school head pointed out the importance of working relationship marked by trust, respect, and harmony with all stakeholders since they are the school’s indispensable partners in several undertakings.
The team that evaluated the school composed of representatives from the following offices in Cordillera Administrative Region: Department of Health, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Education and Office of the Civil Defense.
Other victors that will join Lepanto NHS in representing CAR in the national search include, the local government unit of Mountain Province under the provincial DRRM category, municipality of La Trinidad for municipal DRRM 1st to 3rd class category, and the University of the Cordilleras under the higher education institution category.
The Gawad KALASAG Search was launched by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) through the Office of Civil Defense in 1998 with the aim of giving due recognition to the best practices and outstanding contributions of groups or institutions in the field of disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance. Further, to appreciate their admirable courage and sacrifices during natural or human-induced calamities.
By: Nestor OtingueyDalay-on