Angeles City — The city government has garnered its second KALASAG award, plus special recognition for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr.
The award was received by Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management chief Rodolfo Simeon on behalf of Mayor Lazatin on December 20, 2023 in ceremonies held at the Fontana Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone.
The first time that this award was achieved by Angeles City was in 2019. KALASAG is acronym for Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance.
“Sunud-sunod po ang mga natatanggap nating mga awards na nagpapatunay lamang po na kinikilala po ng national government ang mga programa po natin lalong lalo na pagdating sa disaster preparedness and mitigation (We have been receiving awards one after another, indicating the national government’s recognition of our efforts specially on disaster preparedness and mitigation),” Lazatin said.
It was under the Lazatin’s watch when flagship programs for disaster were utilized and materialized such as the installation Early Warning System (EWaS), improvement of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the Angeles City Emergency Disaster Command Center, inauguration of the newly-improved main evacuation center of the city in Barangay Mining, distribution of trauma bags in all barangays and public schools in the city, and daily deployment of ambulances in strategic places to limit the response time to 10-15 minutes.
The Gawad KALASAG covered major categories and special recognitions for government agencies and institutions, local government units, civil society organizations, private sectors, and individuals who have engaged in the promotion of inclusive DRR-Climate Change Adaptation.
The concept of Gawad KALASAG was adopted from the Filipino term for shield, used by early Filipinos as a means of protection from attacks of enemies or harmful animals.
It was established as the country’s premier recognition platform for stakeholders that design and implement DRRM programs that protect and shield high risk communities against hazards and render them more capable of addressing their vulnerabilities and coping from disasters.