Search for provincial, city disaster groups ongoing
The Regional Selection and Validation Committee for 2006 Gawad Kalasag had already begun its assessment on provincial, city disasters, volunteer auxiliary and volunteers in Western Visayas.
The committee is led by Senior Supt. Isagani Cuevas, deputy regional director for operation of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 and chair of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council and Eligio Calaor of the Office of the Civil Defense.
The other members of the committee are Ted Cabañero of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Rosario Sanagustin of the Department of Social Service and Development Office, Jerry Porras of the Department of Health, Elsie Suarez of the Department of Education and Ma. Fe Lamasan of the Philippine National Red Cross.
The committee had already made assessments on the disaster preparedness of Bacolod City, provinces of Negros Occidental, Aklan and Capiz. They made their rounds in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental last May 25.
The committee also visited Aklan last June 1 and Capiz last June 1 until 2. They are set to conduct assessment and inspection in Antique on June 6 and 7; Guimaras on June 8, Iloilo province on June 9 and Iloilo City on June 13,2006.
In Iloilo City, the committee will conduct assessment and inspection at the Iloilo City Disaster Coordinating Council at the City Hall, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary 601st Squadron, Royal Eagles Rescue Volunteer Brigade Inc. and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology Search and Rescue Group.
From, among the provincial and city disasters and volunteer groups, the committee will pick regional awardees. The committee will also submit on or before middle of June 2006 the list of the regional awardees to the National Disaster Coordinating Council.