Three local disaster councils in WV to receive National Gawad Kalasag Award
Three entries from Western Visayas were declared as champion in their respective category in the annual Gawad Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan (KALASAG) Awards of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.
The Municipality of Pontevedra in Negros Occidental has the best disaster council for the third to fourth class category; Sibunag in Guevara for the fourth to fifth class municipality and Bago City also in Negros Occidental for the component city group.
Meanwhile, Smart Communications won the Best Communicator's Award. The said telecommunication firm had put up communication facilities in Guimaras during the oil spill tragedy.
Director Rosario Cabrera of the Office of the Civil Defense who at the same time is the vice-chairman of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) said the communication facilities set up by Smart Communications was a great help, especially for various government agencies that responded to the incident.
On the other hand, the Dumangas Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) was elevated to the Hall of Fame Award for the third to fourth class municipalities. Dumangas was a consistent winner under the said category prior its elevation to the Hall of Fame.
The awarding ceremony will be held in Malacañang this Wednesday with no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the guest of honor.
(PNA)