BACOLOD CITY — The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRMMO) underscored the need for continuing disaster awareness initiatives for Bacolodnons to boost disaster preparedness.
“We want everyone to know what to do in case disaster strikes. If they do not know what to do, panic will ensue instead of being able to help themselves, their families and neighbors while waiting for response,” said CDRMMO officer-in-charge Dondon Parandas in an interview on Monday, where he presented Bacolod’s Gawad Kalasag award for “Best Highly-Urbanized City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council” in Western Visayas.
The award was given by the Office of Civil Defense-6 (Western Visayas) during the 20th Gawad Kalasag Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance held at the Iloilo Convention Center last July 27 as part of the observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month.
Parandas said Bacolod was able to meet the requirements in the four thematic areas, including mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation, to qualify for the award.
Executive Assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head for CDRRMO, said Bacolod will also be evaluated for the national award as a representative of Western Visayas.
“We hope this time, we will win the national award after we lost to Makati and Butuan in the two times we competed,” he said.
In 2012 and 2009, Bacolod was among the Top 3 finalists in the National Gawad Kalasag Awards.
Previously, Bacolod received the Regional Gawad Kalasag award for the Highly-Urbanized City Category in 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2017.
The award was conferred by the defunct Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region last year.
Parandas also acknowledged the assistance provided by the city’s volunteer rescue groups and civil society groups to the CDRRMO.
“At all times, they are ready to help us which is a big help, with the city’s limited resources,” he added.
Bacolod has 13 volunteer rescue groups, including the Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade – which also received the Regional Gawad Kalasag award for Best Volunteer Organization.
Parandas said the CDRMMO has 32 personnel for emergency medical services and 20 others manning the command center located at the old City Hall building. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
