By: JBM
From four (4) regional and national winners in 2017, there are now 24 entries hoping to bag the Gawad KALASAG awards from this year�s search for excellence in DRRM and humanitarian assistance.
Members of the Regional Selection Committee (RSC) have already convened on April 5 and 6 for their re-orientation on the revised checklists and guidelines, as well as desk evaluation for the 24 aspirants.
Only 20 entries will qualify for the field validation where RSC conducts site visitations at schools, local government units (LGUs), and organizations to corroborate their submitted documents.
“Gawad KALASAG is not only about acknowledgment, bragging rights, or monetary awards; it is a way to encourage more individuals and groups to embrace DRRM as a way of life.� added Uy.
The OCD-CAR and representatives from different member agencies of the regional DRRM council will assess and help regional entries to prepare for the national search.
Office of Civil Defense Cordillera (OCD-CAR) Director Andrew Alex Uy continues to promote this recognition mechanism of the government.
“Gawad KALASAG is not only about acknowledgment, bragging rights, or monetary awards; it is a way to encourage more individuals and groups to embrace DRRM as a way of life.� added Uy
Field validation started on April 10 and will end on April 21. Entries who qualify for the second phase of selection are under 11 different categories.
Mt Province is the sole entry under Provincial DRRMC. Under Municipal DRRMC are La Trinidad and Buguias in Benguet, Luna in Apayao, and Bucay in Abra. There are also two entries under barangay category � Puguis and Ambiong in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Cordillera Parents Federation Inc. enters under civil society organization, and 911 Baguio On Call joins as volunteer organization.
Eight public schools from elementary and high schools are hoping to be named as safest and most prepared educational institutions: Mt Data ES in Bauko; Cagubatan ES in Tadian; Paoad ES in Tublay; Mt Data NHS in Bauko; Banguian NHS in Besao; Tublay School of Home Industries; Lepanto NHS in Mankayan; and Mil-an NHS in Loakan.
University of the Cordilleras aims to represent the region under Higher Education Institution category. While Loacan Emergency Health Responders and Itogon Municipal Health Office compete for special recognition award.
Hansi Dinumla, RSC member from DOST, said that the search will benefit the Cordilleran communities because admirable Gawad KALASAG entries would imply resilience.
Submission of entries to the national level is set on May. Meanwhile, the National Selection Committee is targeting the month of July to announce and award national winners with bigger incentives compare to previous years.