The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recognized 16 local government units from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for their disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) initiatives.
DILG secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. personally went to Cotabato City to join the awarding rites and confer the Gawad Kalasag award to the 16 LGUs who were each presented with plaques of recognition.
“There’s a spirit of Bayanihan that is important in all of us and that is what you’ve done. You’ve acted far beyond the call of duty, even risking your own lives. Your sense of responsibility and vigilance before and during the crisis will always be known, will always be reported, and inscribed in our history,” Abalos said.
Gawad Kalasag is the country’s recognition and award scheme for various stakeholders who promote and implement DRRM-Climate Change Adaptation and humanitarian assistance programs that protect and shield high-risk communities against extreme hazards and render them more capable of addressing their vulnerabilities spearheaded by the National DRRM Council through the Office of Civil Defense.
Top awardee was Upi, Maguindanao Del Norte under the Beyond Compliant category. Fifteen other LGUs were also awarded under the Fully Compliant category which includes the Province of Maguindanao; Basilan Province; Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Guindulungan, Paglat, South Upi, and Sultan Sa Barongis, all from Maguindanao Del Sur; Bubong, Piagapo, and Wao all from Lanao Del Sur; Lamitan City and Tuburan both from Basilan; Talipao, Sulu; and Parang, Maguindanao Del Norte.
On the other hand, the Jolo Emergency Rescue Network (JERN) Inc. was the recipient of the Regional Award for Best Government Emergency Management and Response Teams (GEMs), while plaques of appreciation were also given to the Bangsamoro DRRM Council member agencies as well as DRRM Partners from both the public and the private sectors.
“By working together, headed by our common objectives of making lives easier for our people, our awardees despite the complex transition we currently are undergoing, coupled with natural and man-made calamities, you have proven that we in BARMM can cope with the best LGUs in the country,” said Bangsamoro Government Representative and Ministry ILG BARMM Director General Khalid Dumagay.
A total of 135 Beyond Compliant LGUs, 436 Fully Compliant LGUs, and 16 Special Awardees have been awarded nationwide with the 22nd Gawad Kalasag and Special Awards.
Meanwhile, Abalos also handed plaques of appreciation to recipients of the 1st Asenso Misamis Occidental Honors and Awards Ceremony which he cited as “a celebration of the milestones that the province has attained over the years.”
“The first Asenso Misamis Occidental Honors and Awards Ceremony is a testament to the province’s commitment to mold principled, honorable and nationalistic citizens who will always choose to be at the forefront of serving our country and our people,” he said.
“To all the Misamisnon Graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), and Outstanding Misamisnons recognized on this day, the entire Philippines salutes your heroism and heart for the people. With your integrity and excellence in your respective vocation, inspire more Misamisnons to follow your footsteps,” he added.
Among the recipients of the outstanding Misamisnon award with groundbreaking contributions in their respective fields such as Department of Information and Communication Technology Secretary Ivan John E. Uy; Atty. Alexis M. Lumbatan; Dr. Ben S. Malayang III; Former Department of Education Undersecretary Francisco M. Varela; Mayor Rolando A. Uy; Former Governor and Assemblyman Henry Y. Regalado; and Former Congressman and Governor Douglas R.A. Cagas.
Other awardees were Eunice Cez D. Encarnada; Dr. Victorio N. Cajita; Felicispin Tumanda; Former Senator and Congressman Jose F. Ozamiz; Former Department of Education Culture and Sports and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Dr. Ricardo T. Gloria; and, Former Department of Health Secretary Dr. Hilarion J. Ramiro Jr.
Nineteen Misamisnon alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy and 27 alumni of the Philippine Military Academy were also honored during the maiden awarding ceremony.