MANILA — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday formally launched its NDRM 2018 Theme Writing Contest in line with the observance of National Disaster Resilience Month in July.
The contest is open to all Filipino government employees holding regular and casual positions, except those in the OCD public affairs office and its screening committee, agency spokesperson Mina Marasigan added.
The OCD will accept entries from March 19 to April 30.
The NDRM observance came into effect after Executive Order 29 dated June 28, 2017 renamed the National Disaster Consciousness Month and prescribed the shifting of focus from disaster-awareness building to disaster resilience.
NDRM is observed throughout the country for the whole month of July each year, through the conduct of activities relative to building resilience.
Marasigan said the theme must be in Filipino, not less than five words, and must not exceed 15 words. “All entries must be related to disaster resilience and must emphasize a nationwide approach.”
“All entries must be original and unpublished,” the OCD spokesperson added.
Each participant is only allowed one entry and must register online at the official website of the agency, and fill out the online registration form.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
*Relevance to the theme – 45 percent;
*Originality – 25 percent; *Structure – 15 percent;
*Style – 15 percent.
Marasigan said cash prizes are subject to government taxes and follows accounting and auditing rules.
Cash prizes (after tax deductions) are as follows:
*1st Place – PHP 32,000;
*2nd Place – PHP 24,000;
*3rd Place – PHP 20,000;
*Runner-ups (2) – PHP16,000 each;
*Consolation Prizes (5) – PHP 10,000 each. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
