The local government units of Malabon City and Quezon City were recognized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for their disaster risk reduction and management programs.
The two cities received the "Beyond Compliant" award under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRMS) Councils and Offices (LDRRMCO) category of the 22nd Gawad KALASAG (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance.
The Gawad KALASAG (GK) is a recognition and award scheme for various stakeholders that implement programs for disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance that protect high risk communities against extreme hazards, according to NDRRMC.
It was aimed as a mechanism to obtain sustained commitment and support to the contributions of DRRM practitioner in strengthening resilience and adaptive capacities of the society and communities to disaster risks, it said.
Among the 1,715 LGUs assessed for the said category, 135 LGUs (five in Metro Manila) received the “Beyond Compliant” award, while 436 were cited as “Fully Compliant.”
The NDRRMC said the local government units underwent a selection process for the GK Seal wherein a mandatory assessment was conducted.
The LGUs who garnered 2.5 to 3.0 rating in the assessment were cited as “Beyond Compliant,” while those with 1.5 to 2.49 rating were “Fully Compliant,” it added.
The NDRRMC said the 22nd GK National Awarding Ceremony will be done virtually. The awards such as plaques and cash incentives shall be claimed by the winners from their concerned OCD regional offices.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nagtutulong-tulong upang makamit natin ito. Ipagpatuloy natin ang pagkakaisa at maayos na koordinasyon upang manatiling disaster resilient ang ating lungsod! (Thank you very much to everyone who helped us to achieve this. Let us continue the unity and proper coordination so that our city will remain disaster resilient!),” the Malabon City government said.
The other “beyond compliant” LGUs in Metro Manila are the cities of Makati, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque.