Mahinog Response 143 chosen as official entry to Doon Po Sa Amin Learning Challenge

THE Camiguin National High School (CNHS) has chosen 

Mahinog Response 143 as its official entry to this year's Doon Po Sa Amin Learning Challenge under emergency response and disaster preparedness category.

Doon Po Sa Amin (DPSA) is a project initiated by Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) under its corporate social responsibility program Kabalikat, and is aimed at encouraging teachers and students to use computer and Internet technologies to generate web-based information and educational materials about their respective communities. This project is in line with Smart’s thrust to promote information and communications technology (ICT) integration in basic education.

One of the end goals of the project is to generate and consolidate rich local content for the promotion and development of communities. A rich local content defines the community, and its people, culture, and society – thus the name "Doon Po Sa Amin," which literally means "in our place".

Mahinog Response 143 was chosen due to its efforts to promote local volunteerism including their role in mitigating disaster in the community over the past 8 years. (HRJ)

The entry entitled "Heroes of Our time" is now published on the web. Click this link: http://www.mysmartschools.ph/web/response143/index.html

Homer Jajalla to speak at Regional Symposium on Volunteerism

July 14, 2010 – Homer R. Jajalla, Founder and Immediate Past Chair of Mahinog Response 143 will speak at the Regional Symposium on Volunteerism sponsored by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) in cooperation with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), July 15, 2010, at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City.

He will speak on the topic "Mahinog Response 143: Volunteerism is Love in Motion."

Mahinog Response 143 was the 2006 Regional Qualifier and National Contestant to the Search for Outstanding Volunteers. The SOV honors volunteers and volunteer organizations for their exemplary performance and dedication to volunteer work. It is spearheaded by the PNVSCA in close coordination with the NEDA.

The symposium is part of a nationwide advocacy on volunteerism, as mandated in Republic Act (RA 9418), otherwise known as the “Volunteer Act of 2007,” institutionalizing volunteerism as a strategy for national development and international cooperation.

The forum highlights include presentations on; a) Volunteering for Rural Development: The Volunteers Act of 2007 (RA 9418), b) The National Volunteer Service Program in the Philippines, and c) Volunteering Experience in Region X, among others.

Mahinog Response 143 celebrates its 8th founding anniversary

Mahinog Response 143 on June 26 celebrated its 8^th founding anniversary with a theme: "LUV Can make 8".

The group was formed in June 28, 2002, following the November 7, 2001 typhoon Nanang tragedy that killed over 200 people in Camiguin.

It was organized under the four principles of Love, Unity, Volunteerism and Commitment. Its motto is "serving people, saving lives."

Response 143 has been in the community as a volunteer that assist in all phases of disaster preparedness, response, relief, recovery, and mitigation. It is composed of 190 members/volunteers all from Mahinog.

The group was the two times winner of Gawad KALASAG in 2008 and 2007, as Outstanding Volunteer Organization in Region X, given by the National Disaster Coordinating Council-NDCC. In 2006, the group also won the outstanding volunteer association award in region ten sponsored by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Association (PNVSA).

Its current Chairman is Kaiser A. Abao.

Mahinog Response 143 gets another Gawad Kalasag Award

FRESH from being a winner of Gawad KALASAG in 2008, the Mahinog RESPONSE 143 is adjudged again as the Gawad KALASAG Awardee for 2009 as Outstanding and Best Volunteer Organization in Region X.

The award was given by National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza during the culmination of the observance of the 2009 National Disaster Consciousness Month last July 28, 2009 at Grand Caprice Restaurant, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

KALASAG, which stands for Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan, is annual recognition of an individual or institution for excellence in disaster management and humanitarian assistance sponsored by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

Mahinog RESPONSE 143, a volunteer disaster response group based in the town of Mahinog, in the province of Camiguin, was recognized by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) for its outstanding performance as major stakeholder and partner of the RDCC in the implementation of the disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance in the region.

The award was signed by Carmilito A. Lupo, Regional Director, Office of Civil Defense and Executive Officer, RDCC X and Vice Chairman of the Gawad Kalasag Selection Committee;

Loreto T. Bhagwani, Regional Director, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Vice Chairman, RDCC X and Chairman of the Gawad Kalasag Selection Committee; and

Police Chief Superintendent Danilo T. Empedrad, Regional Director, Police Regional Office X and Chairman of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council X.

Receiving the award was Kaiser A. Abao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mahinog Response 143. He was accompanied Vice Chairperson Bibian A. Abbu, Secretary Adelma Concepcion F. Maestrado, Responders Chastine Rapliza and Henry Ramires. (Mahinog Information Office)

6 YEARS GEARING UP FOR EXCELLENCE

by Homer R. Jajalla
Founder and Immediate Past Chairman
Mahinog Response 143

Congratulations to my fellow officers and members of Mahinog Response 143 on the occasion of our 6th founding anniversary on June 28, 2008.

As your founding chairman for the past 6 years, it is with great pride that I applaud all my fellow Responders for your immeasurable efforts, dedication and commitment to the group.

Over the years, we maintained our optimism and continue our advocacy for volunteerism. Volunteers have rapidly grown from 15 to 165 members today.

With our new repeater communication system, we have improved our signals by thousand times and our services by leaps and bounds.

From where we were six years ago, there is nowhere to go but UP! Response 143 has rapidly established a name in disaster and emergency response inside and outside the province. Our past accomplishments and heroic dedication reaped major awards. To avoid being self-serving, let us speak on the basis of the awards that we received.

This year, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council-Office of the Civil Defense conferred on Response 143 the Gawad Kalasag 2008 Awards for Volunteer Organization in the Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Management and Humanitarian Assistance during the culmination of the Disaster Consciousness Month Celebration held at Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City.

In 2006, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) adjudged Response 143 as regional awardee and national qualifier to the 2006 National Search for Outstanding Volunteer Organization.

In 2005, the Asian Institute of Management-Local Government Academy selected Response 143 among the national nominees to the prestigious Gawad Galing Pook Award which aims to publicly recognize innovative and effective local government initiatives and to inspire its possible replication.

In the same year, Response 143 ranked 5th placer against 50 entries in the whole Mindanao for best community programs and local practices sponsored by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

We also received several awards and citations from the Municipal Government of Mahinog, the Provincial Government of Camiguin, Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Region X.

We must always reflect that whatever we have achieved is not a final destination but rather a continuation of our unending commitment for voluntary public service. Be proud in what we have accomplished.

As I end my term and turn over the command and responsibility to the new Chairman, we must always carry on the “four pillars” upon which Response 143 was founded: Volunteerism, Love, Unity and Commitment.

Thank you for your support and I hope that we are all inspired to do more, aim high and go another extra miles. Mabuhay tayong lahat.

PLS. HELP US ACQUIRE A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE SERVICE VEHICLE TO SERVE YOU BETTER

by KAISER A. ABAO
Chairman, Mahinog Response 143

Dearest friends,

Over the past 6 years, Response 143 has been in the community as a volunteer disaster response group engaged in search and rescue operation, public safety promotion, disaster preparedness, mitigation and prevention measures, and other emergency and public service assistance.

In case of emergency, you can call us through landline no. “143” or through VHF radio frequency 143.470 in simplex and 143.470 +0.60 in duplex.

As we want to serve you better, we want to acquire a new multi-purpose service vehicle which we can readily use to respond to emergency calls. We also planned to organize a volunteer fire brigade and acquire a fire truck of our own, if funds would warrant.

Please be with us in heart in raising funds for this purpose. We need your help to sustain our voluntary service.

Any amount no matter how small will do!

Email us at mahinogresponsee_143@yahoo.com and tell us you’d like to support for our cause.

You can mail your check, payable to Mahinog Response 143, at this post office address: Mahinog, Response 143, Communication Center, Mahinog, Camiguin Province, 9101.

Thank you for your valuable support.

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)

MAHINOG RESPONSE 143 CITED AS OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER FOR GROUP CATEGORY

The Regional Development Council (RDC-10) gave recognition to the national winner and regional qualifiers for the 2006 Search for Outstanding Volunteers during its 74th Full Council Meeting on February 27, 2007 at the Emperor’s Court, Grand Caprice, Cagayan de Oro City.



The Mahinog Response 143 of Camiguin was adjudged outstanding volunteer and regional qualifier for the Group Category. The group was represented by Mr. Homer R. Jajalla, the Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.



Along with Mahinog Response 143, RDC-10 also recognized Mr. Glen T. Quilab, President of the Philippine National Red Cross, Oroquieta City-Chapter, who qualified for the Individual (Youth) Category.



Ms. Teresita L. Doydora, President of Valencia City Federation of Tribal Councils, Inc., was recognized as national awardee of the 2006 Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV)-Adult Category.



The SOV, sponsored by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), is an annual national search for outstanding Filipino volunteers for their exemplary performance and dedication to service in building strong communities. The search is open to all Filipino citizens and Filipino volunteer organizations. It also highlights the celebration of the National Volunteer Month (NVM) declared every December of the year. (PIA-Mahinog Municipal Information Office)