Napulan commends Guimbal as RP’s ‘best disaster council’
A Resolution commending the Local Government of Guimbal, Iloilo was passed yesterday before the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
This, following the honor given to said municipality recognized now as the “Best Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council” (MDCC) – 4th to 6th Class Municipality Category.
Pushed by First District Board Member Mac Napulan, members of the 9th SP present in the regular session gave its unanimous backing to the commendation.
The award given to Guimbal was in recognition of its exemplary achievement in the field of disaster risk management.
To note, only three LGUs were chosen nationwide in said category and Guimbal, Iloilo made it in the said shortlist because of its efficient and outstanding disaster response efforts.
The award was bestowed in Malacañang by no less than Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and officials of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
The citation formed part the highlight of this year’s NDCC awarding under its “Gawad Kalasag” program.
“Gawad Kalasag” stands for Kalamidad at Sakina Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan.
In a project rationale, the NDCC explained the nature of the Gawad Kalasag awards.
“Kalasag” is the Filipino term for “shield” used by early Filipinos as a means of protection from attacks of enemies or harmful animals. Relatedly, Gawad Kalasag was conceived to protect or shield high risk communities against hazards by encouraging participation of various stakeholders in designing and implementing Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programs,” the NDCC in project brief wrote. “Initiated in 1998, Gawad Kalasag is NDCC’s current recognition scheme in its search for excellence on DRM and humanitarian assistance. It provides the mechanism in obtaining sustained commitment and support from the highest level of government by recognizing the exceptional contributions of the various DRM practitioners in rebuilding the resilience of nations and communities to disaster.”