ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Forty-three local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas were recognized for their exemplary performance in protecting high-risk communities from the adverse impact of natural and man-made disasters here.

Several LGUs from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental, which have earned beyond compliant and fully compliant ratings from the national and regional validators, took part in the 22nd Gawad KALASAG (GK) Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance National Awarding Ceremony, Nov. 22, of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 6.

task yet, the results are now slowly becoming visible in Western Visayas.

“We have gone a long way in enhancing our resilience to disasters. Let this accomplishment be a motivation to excel in making our whole region more resilient and sustainable. We started strong in facing our challenges; let us continue strong in reducing these and making our communities more adaptive to any climate and environmental challenges,” Casing stressed.

Meanwhile, Director Harold N. Cabreros of the Rehabilitation and Recovery Management Service of National Office of Civil Defense (OCD), who served as the keynote speaker for the activity highlighted the importance of mobilizing and involving the local communities to empower them towards resilience.

He also lauded the exemplary leadership of the local governing bodies and other stakeholders in strengthening DRRM efforts to ensure public safety while posing them another challenge.