The City of Manila earned the Gawad Kalasag Seal of Excellence from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), marking a significant achievement for the local government under the leadership of Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan. 

This award acknowledged Manila's full compliance with the standards set by the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

Lacuna-Pangan expressed gratitude to the NDRRMC for the recognition, emphasizing that the award was a collective achievement, shared by the city’s officials, employees, and residents. 

She particularly lauded the efforts of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), led by Director Arnel Angeles, for their tireless, round-the-clock service in disaster management. 

The Manila DRRMO, she said, has been instrumental in responding to a wide range of emergencies, including typhoons, floods, fires, and road accidents, often going beyond their formal responsibilities without additional compensation.

The Manila DRRMO was also cited by the mayor for being the first responders in cases where people need to be rescued due to massive floods brought by typhoons and fire incidents.

"Hindi po nila iniisip ang sarili nilang kaligtasan. Para po sa kanila, mas importante ang buhay ng iba, bago sa kanila (They don't think about their safety. For them, the lives of others are more important than their own)," she stressed.

She praised the officers and staff of the Manila DRRMO for the quality of their work which became a key role in securing the award.

The local chief executive also cited their unwavering dedication during monitoring weather conditions, continuously updating the city government on necessary actions, including whether to suspend classes, and ensuring the safety and well-being of the public.

The Gawad Kalasag is an annual award that recognizes exceptional efforts in disaster risk reduction and management, with a focus on transparency, partnership, innovation, and self-reliance.