CEBU CITY – The Bohol Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) was recognized during the 2023 Gawad KALASAG National Awarding Ceremony on Monday, December 11, at the Manila Hotel.
The PDRRMC was awarded with the Seal of Excellence in disaster risk reduction management and humanitarian assistance.
BOHOL Gov. Aris Aumentado (fifth from left) receives the Seal of Excellence award during the 2023 Gawad KALASAG National Awarding Ceremony on Monday, December 11, at the Manila Hotel. (Contributed photo)
Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, PDRRMC chairman, received the award from Secretaries Gilberto Teodoro of the Department of National Defense and Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Aumentado was accompanied by Ryan Palma, PDRRMO administrative officer, and Jose Requeron, TaRSIER 117 head of operations.
Bohol was the only local government unit (LGU) from Region 7 (Central Visayas) to receive such an award.
“It is our pride that the provincial government of Bohol was recognized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,” said Aumentado.
The PDRRMC was recognized for “its robust management plans and the technical services it provides during events of natural hazards and other calamities happening in Bohol.”
Last year, the province also received a fully compliant Gawad Kalasag Award for its disaster risk reduction management and services.
The award recognizes LGUs that adhere to Republic Act No. 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, an Act providing a comprehensive, all-hazard, multi-sectoral, inter-agency, and community-based approach to disaster risk management through the formulation of the National Disaster Risk Management Framework.
According to the Office of Civil Defense, the concept of Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) was adopted from the Filipino term for shield, “kalasag,” used by early Filipinos as a means of protection from attacks of enemies or harmful animals.
“I commend our PDRRMO and TaRSIER 117 for their exemplary service to the Boholanos,” said Aumentado.
TaRSIER 117 is the province’s emergency response office that helps facilitate police and fire assistance, medical emergencies, and even weather monitoring.