TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Southern Leyte was awarded the 2023 Gawad KALASAG Seal of Excellence by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Monday, December 11, at the Manila Hotel.
Southern Leyte was among the 256 Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) nationwide conferred with the coveted beyond compliant Gawad KALASAG Seal.
Gov. Damian Mercado said that Southern Leyte is the only province in Eastern Visayas conferred with the award. "This is a major achievement, especially for a disaster-prone province like us," Mercado said.

MERCADO holding the 2023 Gawad KALASAG Seal of Excellence award. (Photo via Marie Marticio)
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. conferred the awards during the ceremony.
Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) is an annual recognition for various stakeholders who promote and implement DRRM, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance programs in the country.
Winners were cited for protecting high-risk communities against extreme hazards and capacitating them to address their vulnerabilities.