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| (Image Source: Batangas Provincial Public Information Office/Junjun De Chavez) |
The Provincial Government of Batangas, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), recognized and honored the Local DRRM Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs) in the Province of Batangas who excelled and were awarded awards in the 24th Gawad KALASAG Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance Awarding Ceremony for CALABARZON Region held last January 28, 2025 at Twin Lakes Hotel situated at the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway in Laurel, Batangas. During the June 2, 2025 weekly flag ceremony at the Provincial Capitol, PDRRMC Chairperson and Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, together with PDRRM Officer Dr. Amor Calayan, members of the Provincial Council, and other Capitol officials, personally awarded the Certificate of Recognition to the LDRRMCOs of the province for their demonstrated excellence in the field of preparedness and response to calamities and disasters.
Recognition was first awarded to towns and cities in the province that were designated as “Fully Compliant” and “Beyond Compliant” in the LDRRMCOs Category. Among those that are Fully Compliant or have met the minimum requirements and have followed the set standards for the effective promotion and operation of their respective LDRRMCOs are the Cities of Calaca and Tanauan, and the Towns of Agoncillo, Balayan, Bauan, Calatagan, Laurel, Lemery, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Jose, San Juan, San Nicolas, San Pascual, Sta. Teresita, Taal, and Talisay. This type of compliance also includes aspects such as having a well-systematic LDRRMCO organizational structure, policies and procedures, preparedness and response capacity, and having the ability to integrate disaster risk considerations into development plans. The Cities of Batangas and Sto. Tomas and the Municipalities of Alitagtag, Nasugbu, and Taysan received the Beyond Compliant rating or LDRRMCOs that earned the highest honor by exceeding the set basic requirements in disaster and calamity management. Said compliance also covers the application or implementation of modern DRRM practices in their disaster response efforts.
The provincial government then recognized special awardees at the regional level. Here, the disaster response and preparedness plans of Maabud National High School in San Nicolas Town stood out as the Best Public High School and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City as the Best Hospital. Meanwhile, the messages of Governor Mandanas and PDRRMO head Calayan all focused on appreciating DRRM practitioners who they said are on the frontline of every disaster and calamity and strengthen the level of disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery towards a stronger or “Resilient Batangas”. The Gawad KALASAG or Gawad KALAMIDAD At Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing Ang Kaligtasan is an annual and prestigious ceremony that recognizes significant initiatives, best practices, advancement, comprehensive planning, and proactive and holistic approaches in the field of disaster and disaster management and humanitarian assistance in the country in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. The word "kalasag" also reflects the goal of providing protection or shield to communities against the prevention and reduction of damage or effects of disasters.
With words by Mark Jonathan M. Macaraig, Batangas Provincial Public Information Office)
