MADDELA, Quirino (PIA) - - The Maddela Comprehensive High School (MCHS) recently underwent validation by the Regional Validation Committee (RVC) for the CY 2023 Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance (school category) for 2023 on June 27, 2023.

The annual Gawad KALASAG aims to promote and recognize the efforts of local government units, non-government organizations, and private entities in enhancing disaster preparedness and response in their respective communities. 

During the opening program, Maddela Mayor Rimel Tolentino and Schools Division Superintendent Madelaine L. Macalling took turns in reiterating their commitment to the disaster preparedness of the schools.

SDS Macalling also spelled out her commitment by giving another meaning to the acronym KALASAG.

According to Macalling, K is for kaakibat, kasangga and  kaakibat that include the municipal, barangay officials and other stakeholders; A for Adaptability of the learners, internal as well as external stakeholders; L is for love for partners for their 100% support; A for aspiration; S for sustainability of partnership in the attainment of the Kalasag mission for learners that is resiliency; A for achieve that championship in  institutionalizing Kalasag and G for God’s will.

“This evaluation will give us the awareness on the importance of Kalasag and the will power to institutionalize it not only here in MCHS but all throughout the province,” Macalling said.

The Office of the Civil Defense, the chair of the RVC gave an orientation on the validation process which include interviews and sites visit.

The RVC conducted interviews on the different criteria such as School Building Components, Ancilliary Facilities, Other Facilities such as sports, recreational, emergency exits; WASH facilities, Health and Environment Safety, School Preparedness Plan and others.

Furthermore, a visit around the school was also done to validate what were included in the submitted documents.

An earthquake drill was also conducted to check the preparedness of the learners, teachers and other school personnel.

After the validation, the RVC shared their findings, the good points and the areas that need further improvement.

The RVC is composed of OCD as the chair, Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Social Welfare and Development. (MDCT/TCB/PIA Quirino)