OCD-ARMM HOLDS “ARAW NG PARANGAL 2016”

COTABATO CITY- The Office of Civil Defense-ARMM has successfully concluded on 19 August 2016 the “Araw ng Parangal 2016”, which recognized the efforts, initiatives, and perseverance of various partners and stakeholders in the program implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) as per Republic Act (RA) 10121 with the end result of achieving and building-up “disaster resiliency” especially among high risk communities in ARMM.

The highlight of the activity held at Glamour Convention Hall was the awarding ceremonies of the annual Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) where plaques of Recognition” have been given for the outstanding performance of Local DRRM Councils, Civil Society Organizations, Volunteer or People’s Organizations as well as Government Emergency Response Management sectors and Individuals especially in providing response to people needing prompt rescue and humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected communities in the region.

The regional winners of the Search for Gawad Kalasag 2016 are as follows: Best LDRRMC (Provincial Category)- 1st Place- Maguindanao Province, 2nd Place- Lanao del Sur Province; Best LDRRMC (City Category)- 1st Place- Lamitan City, Basilan; Best LDRRMC (Municipal 1st-3rd Class Category)- 1st Place,- Upi, Maguindanao, 2nd Place- Wao, Lanao del Sur, 3rd Place- Pagalungan; Best LDRRMC (Municipal 4th-6th Class Category)- 1st Place, Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, 2nd Place- Buldon, Maguindanao, 3rd Place- Guindulungan, Maguindanao; Best Civil Society Organization (CSO) Category- 1st Place- Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates, Inc., 2nd Place- Community Organizers Multiversity, 3rd Place- SULADS; Best Volunteer Category- 1st Place- Bangsamoro Rescue Team (BARET); Heroic Act Awardee- Myrna Jocelyn Henry of ARMM-HEART; Special Recognition Awardees- Hadja Pombaen Karon Kader of DSWD-ARMM, His Eminence Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, OMI DD, Zenaida Naga of Marawi City MDRRMC, and the ARMM HEART (Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team).

Also in attendance alongside the awardees and guests were ARMM RDRRMO Dir. Ramil Masukat and His Eminence Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, OMI DD.

Myrna J. Angot, Officer-in-Charge of OCD-ARMM, said the Gawad “KALASAG” is the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC’s) annual recognition scheme in search for excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and humanitarian assistance since 1998.

“This time, we are holding the regional awarding ceremonies. What comes next would be the national search. I must say that the Gawad Kalasag provides the mechanism in obtaining sustained commitment and support from the highest level of governments by recognizing the exceptional contributions of various DRRM practitioners in rebuilding the resilience of nations and communities against disaster,” said Angot.

Further, the RDRRMC-ARMM Regional Selection Committee (RSC) was tasked to oversee the implementation of the activities of the annual Gawad KALASAG Search in the region with the regional partners and stakeholders of the Regional Council as members per revised guidelines on the matter set forth by the National DRRM Council (NDRRMC).

Earlier, the RDRRMC-ARMM RSC has conducted desk evaluation and field validation, and eventually determined the regional winners in various categories to include Best Local DRRM Councils (Provincial, City, and Municipal Levels), Volunteer Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Heroic Act, and Special Recognition.

The Gawad Kalasag 2016 Evaluators includes Mauricio Civiles of DILG-ARMM, Mary Ann Mendez of OCD-ARMM, Palawan Mamaon of RPDO-ARMM, Gilmhar Lao of OCD-ARMM, Jimmy Hedesin of DOST-ARMM, Gecile Gonzales of OCD-ARMM, Puasa Enok of DSWD-ARMM, Noralyn Nul of ARMM HEART and Alaudin Masabpi of the Philippine Red Cross- Cotabato Chapter.

In the previous year, a total of 120 LDRRMCs, 42 NGOs, 24 individuals and 119 groups/institutions have been awarded.

Angot said that as an advocate of the disaster risk reduction and management, there is still a need to strengthen our endeavours in disaster preparedness and prevention and mitigation.

“In our setting, the government, through the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) faces great challenges through the years to heighten its vigilance in ensuring that disaster risks are prevented or minimized as it also prepares to address the needs of affected population when disasters or emergencies take place. Rest assured that the council is doing utmost best to further strengthen the advocacy on the DRRM,” said Angot. (GILMHAR A. LAO, INFORMATION OFFICER-MINDANAO EXPOSE’)