The Malabon City government was honored for its effective and efficient response in times of calamities during the 22nd Gawad KALASAG (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing Ang Kaligtasan) Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance awarding ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
The ceremony held at The Manila Hotel was spearheaded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
The NDRRMC announced in November that the city was one of the 135 local government units (LGUs) cited as “Beyond Compliant” under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs) category. There were 1,715 LGUs assessed for the category.
The Gawad KALASAG is a recognition/award scheme for LGUs and agencies that effectively implement various programs for disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance that protect high risk communities against extreme hazards.
The cities that were recognized underwent a selection process for the seal, the NDRRMC said.
The LGUs that were cited as “Beyond Compliant” were those who garnered 2.5 to 3.0 rating in a mandatory assessment.
The “Gawad KALASAG Seal for Excellence” award was received by Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) head Roderick Tongol.
“Hindi po natin matatanggap ito kung hindi dahil sa tulong ng bawat isa sa ating pinakamamahal na lungsod (We wouldn't be able to receive this award without the help of everyone in our beloved city),” Sandoval said in a Facebook post.
Tongol thanked those who helped in ensuring the city’s effective disaster preparations and response including the mayor, the city DRRM council members and personnel, DRRM committees of the city’s 21 barangays, and volunteers.
“Patuloy po nating pag-ibayuhin ang paghahanda upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng bawat mamamayan ng Malabon (We will continue to improve our preparations to ensure the safety of every citizen of Malabon,” Tongol said.
The local governments of Makati, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, and Quezon Cities were also cited as “beyond compliant.”
Read more: QC, Malabon LGUs cited for excellence in disaster risk reduction, management