OCD fetes 88 Bicol LGUs for exceptional disaster preparedness programs

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- At least 88 local government units (LGUs) in the Bicol Region received Thursday the prestigious Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) award for their exceptional programs in disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) and humanitarian assistance.

During the awarding ceremony on Thursday at the Oriental Hotel here, Claudio Yucot, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol, said the Gawad KALASAG not only acknowledges outstanding efforts but also inspires other LGUs to take proactive steps in preparing before, during, and after disasters.

“The Gawad KALASAG has evolved into more than just an awards program. It has become a symbol of resilience and a platform to showcase the remarkable contributions made by stakeholders dedicated to safeguarding communities against disaster threats,” Yucot said.

He said Gawad KALASAG continuously assesses and refines strategies, identifying improvement areas and addressing community vulnerabilities.

“To our awardees, you are now part of a distinguished group that sets the standard for excellence in disaster risk initiatives. Your success will inspire neighboring municipalities, cities, and provinces to enhance their own preparedness and resilience strategies,” he said.

Yucot said the number of LGUs recognized has increased from 12 in 2022 to 55 in 2023 and 88 for 2024, which demonstrates determination, resilience, and progress.

Those recognized as “Beyond Compliant”—exceeding the required DRRM plans and programs— were the provincial governments of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate and Sorsogon.

The cities/municipalities awarded were: in Sorsogon province --Sorsogon City, Irosin, Pilar, Donsol, Sta. Magdalena, Bulan, Castilla, Bulusan, Barcelona, and Juban; Masbate --Masbate City, Mobo, and Pio V. Corpus; Catanduanes --Virac, Pandan, Baras, and Bato; Camarines Sur --Iriga City, Pasacao, Pamplona, Lupi, Minalabac, Libmanan, San Fernando, and Presentacion; Camarines Norte --Basud, Daet, and Vinzons; Albay --Legazpi City, Ligao City, and Camalig.

Meanwhile, the provinces of Albay and Catanduanes, along with the independent city of Naga, received recognition as “Fully Compliant”.

In Albay, the LGU awardees are Tabaco City, Polangui, Daraga, and Sto. Domingo; Camarines Norte --Mercedes, Jose Panganiban, Labo, San Vicente, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Talisay.

In Camarines Sur --Caramoan, Tinambac, Ragay, Nabua, Tigaon, Sipocot, Bula, Buhi, Calabanga, Bato, Baao, Ocampo, Magarao, Canaman, Del Gallego, San Jose, Bombon, Sagnay, and Batalan; Catanduanes, the awardees are San Andres, Gigmoto, Viga, and San Miguel; in Masbate --Milagros, Aroroy, Cataingan, San Pascual, Cawayan, Mandaon, Dimasalang, Esperanza, Baleno, San Jacinto, Batuan, San Fernando, and Monreal; and in Sorsogon --Magallanes, Prieto Diaz, and Casiguran.

The Gawad KALASAG is an annual recognition established in 1998, aiming to honor various LGUs and stakeholders who promote and implement programs related to DRRM, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance. (PNA)