Guimbal MDCC is RP’s best
The Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) of the municipality of Guimbal of this province was named as the country’s Best MDCC in the 4th and 6th class municipality category during the 2009 Gawad Kalasag Awards.
Guimbal MDCC was recognized for its exemplary achievement in the field of disaster risk management, its partnership with locals as direct stakeholders, transparency, innovativeness, community involvement, self-reliance and spirit of volunteerism.
Mayor Christine Garin personally received the award from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and officials of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) led by its Chair, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro in an awarding ceremony held at Malacañang Palace on August 12, 2009.
Also present during the awarding was Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Gawad Kalasag stands for Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan.
Initiated in 1998, Gawad Kalasag is NDCC’s current recognition scheme in its search for excellence on Disaster Risk Management 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.
Gawad Kalasag also continues to promote the spirit of volunteerism among agencies and individuals in providing the much needed help during the response phase of DRM.
It further aims to recognize individuals, groups or institutions that have shown extraordinary courage, heroism, self-sacrifice, and bravery against all odds in times of natural and human-induced emergencies and disasters.
For this year, a total of 57 individuals and groups including the municipality of Guimbal were deemed worthy of the awards, which came with plaques, citations and cash. (PIA)