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Antique PDRRMC vies for 2023 Gawad KALASAG Seal

SAN JOSE Antique (PIA) -- The Province of Antique once again vied for the Gawad KALASAG Seal after successfully submitting the documentary requirements and undergoing regional validation held at the PDRRM Office, Binirayan Hills, San Jose on August 22.

Office of the Civil Defense OIC regional director Aletha A. Nogra led the team of validators composed of representatives from various stakeholders and regional government agencies.

She noted that after a desk evaluation of submitted documents, an onsite validation is being done to ensure that all parameters were met as provided under Republic Act 10121 or the DRRM Act.

Gawad KALASAG, also called Search for Excellence in disaster risk reduction and management council and humanitarian assistance, requires the implementation of four thematic pillars on DRRM preparedness, response, prevention and mitigation, and rehabilitation and recovery.

Governor Rhodora Cadiao expressed optimism that PDRRMC could again make it to the level of Beyond Compliant as it did during the previous year when Antique garnered the Gawad KALASAG Seal at the national level.

Cadiao lauded the passion and service-driven motivation of the employees of PDRRMO, thus, reiterated her all-out support for their undertakings.

To the OCD, the 2023 search is the first year it was launched after the pandemic, with both desk evaluation and onsite validation.

For the part of PDRRM Officer Broderick Train, he put emphasis on the meaning of Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan), citing some best practices that the PDRRMC has been doing in the previous years, earning some recognition for the province both at the regional and national levels.

ULIGMAT Antique, named after the Kinaray-a term for vigilance, is one of those best practices, which is a community-based mobilization program calling for vigilance and preparedness of communities in times of disaster and calamities. 

Train also mentioned the decentralization of resources, designating ambulances to district hospitals, municipalities and barangays including response and rescue vehicles that can be used by people in case of emergencies.

He likewise thanked Governor Cadiao for giving priority to the needs of the local DRRMs.

PDRRMO also cited the partnership and support of civil society organizations to DRRM programs, particularly named are the Social Action Center of the Catholic Diocese of San Jose de Antique, Rotary 

Club of Antique, and other private organizations that volunteered during disaster response, relief operations, rehabilitation and recovery.

“The operational readiness of operation centers equipped with competitive human resources, assets and equipment, including well-written standard operating procedures and manuals is also a big factor for efficient and effective incident management,” said Train.

It could be noted that last year, Antique PDRRMC won the Gawad KALASAG Award at the national level. (AGP/PSM/PIA Antique)

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