RDCC NorMin bares Gawad Kalasag winners

THE Mahinog Response 143 in the province of Camiguin has been cited the Gawad Kalasag Best Private/Volunteer Organization in Northern Mindanao for 2007.

An acronym for “Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan,” “Kalasag” also connotes “shield” used by early Filipinos as a means of protection from attacks of enemies or harmful animals.

“Gawad Kalasag” was conceived to protect or shield high risk communities against hazards by encouraging participation of various stakeholders in designing and implementing disaster risks management (DRM) programs.

As it is, the Gawad Kalasag provides a 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 communities to disaster.

At the same time, it continues to promote the spirit of volunteerism among agencies and individuals in providing the much needed help during the response phase of DRM by the local DCC’s that serve as front liners in preparing for, responding to and recovering from any type of disaster or emergency.

Regional Director Carmelito A. Lupo of the Office of Civil Defense, region 10, said the Gawad Kalasag recognizes the outstanding performances of local DCC’s and private, volunteer and government organization emergency responders (GOER).

“It also recognizes individuals, groups or institutions who have shown extraordinary courage, heroism, capacity for self-sacrifice, and bravery against all odds in times of natural and/or man-made disasters and emergencies.

Lupo who heads the Gawad Kalasag Regional Selection Committee said the following DCC’s and Private/Volunteer Organizations have been declared Gawad Kalasag winners for 2007 in their respective categories:

Best Provincial DCC - Bukidnon, first place, Camiguin, second place and Misamis Oriental, 3rd place and Best Municipal DCC, 4th-6th Class Municipality - Lugait, Mis. Or. (lone entry).

Best Urban City DCC – Iligan City, first place and Cagayan de Oro City, second place and Best Component CDCC – Oroquieta City, first place, Ozamiz Cty, 2nd place and Malaybalay City, 3rd place.

Best Urban Barangay DCC – Mantic, Tangub City, first place (lone entry), Best Rural Baragay DCC – BDCC Suarez, Iligan City, first place, Lumbo, Valencia City, second place and Lubilan, Naawan, Mis. Or., 3rd place.

Best Private/Volunteer Organization – Mahinog, Camiguin Response 143 – first place.(Mahinog IO)