DAVAO CITY — — The provincial government of Davao del Norte was awarded this year’s “Beyond Compliant” award in the 22nd Gawad Kalasag Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance for the Local DRRM Councils and Offices.
The province bested other provinces in the country and was awarded its first national Gawad Kalasag Award, which is also the first time received by Davao region. It is the ghest award for excellent disaster risk management and resiliency this year.
Four LGUs in the province also got the “Fully Compliant” seal, namely Tagum City, Kapalong, Carmen, and the Island Garden City of Samal.
Davao del Norte garnered 2.5 rating as three (3) being the highest in the Beyond Compliant seal, while those that receive a rating of 1.5 to 2.49 get the Fully Compliant seal. The ranking was based on the standards of the DRRM, as cited in Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
Governor Edwin Jubahib offered the award to the people of Davao del Norte, as he thanked the personnel of the Provincial DRRM Office and the members of the Provincial DRRM Council, together with the various LDRRMCOs.
The governor’s commitment and full support to the local government units was the key to achieving the most covereted award.
“This success is not mine- it is for all of us,” he emphasized.
The governor cited the gains of the province in strengthening DRRM and climate-change adaptability, through reliable and efficient pre-warning information dissemination system and effective response, among the other thematic areas of DRRM.
Eaerlier on, Jubahib acquired a new fleet of rescue vehicles and equipment of the province, which include 15 light rescue vehicles, two heavy-duty rescue vehicles with crane, five heavy-duty rescue vehicles, rubber boats, five ambulances, and two mobile hospitals.
Addde to the fleet of of heavy equipment included two more crawler hydraulic excavators to augment the water master dredging machine used in desilting rivers and tributaries to help address perennial flooding in the province.
Glenda Delideli, chief of the PDRRMO said the full support of the governor to all the DRRM programs, projects and activities of the province is very remarkbale as she said the governor ensures the safety of his people during disasters, and to help them build back better.
The NDCC bared there are 135 Beyond Compliant and 436 Fully Compliant LGU-awardees, out of the 1,715 LGUs assessed this year.
The annuel award started in 1998, the NDCC has been giving the Gawad Kalasag Award to recognize the exceptional contributions of government agencies, LGUs, private sector and various DRM practitioners in rebuilding the resilience of the nation and communities to disaster. –with report from Noel Baguio
