By Joel Mapiles – PNA
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The province of Pampanga bagged the Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance Award given by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) during the 20th Gawad Kalasag National Awards program on Tuesday.
The award was personally received by Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, 3rd District Board Member Rosve V. Henson, Angelina S. Blanco, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and other provincial officials during the awarding ceremony held at the AFP Theater in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The provincial government received a PHP500,000 cash incentive as part of the award.
The National Gawad Kalasag award for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance was signed by Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana as chairperson of the NDRRMC and Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad, executive director and Civil Defense administrator.
“Pampanga has been chosen for its effective utilization of the local disaster risk reduction and management funds to address risk-based issues, thereby, ensuring that response actions in times of disasters are in place,” the citation read.
The NDRRMC also recognized the efficient and innovative DRRM systems, processes and protocols as demonstrated in its reporting system, incident command system, contingency planning, communication flow, and response operations, including advanced collapsed structure search and rescue, and vehicular extrication, among others.
Pampanga was also cited for its heightened disaster risk awareness and the promotion of inclusive participation through the involvement of the “Nanay” community workers’ education, business communities in the information education and communication on DRRM.
The NDRRMC also lauded the efforts of the provincial government of Pampanga for undertaking disaster prevention and mitigation measures through the year-round desilting of rivers and waterways to address flood susceptibilities in the communities.
The province’s eco-friendly and gender-responsive permanent evacuation centers, which can accommodate enough number of evacuees with complete facilities applying the Build Back Better principle to ensure the safety of evacuees, was also recognized.
The NDRRMC said the accomplishments of the provincial government of Pampanga are all notable contributions to the national efforts to build a safer, climate change adaptive and disaster resilient Philippines, worthy of emulation by the people and recognition from the Gawad Kalasag.
“Expect a more determined and intensive approach to ensure the safety of the Kapampangans from different disasters and calamities,” Blanco said as she expressed gratitude and appreciation to all council member agencies for their concerted efforts in pursuing a disaster-resilient Pampanga.
Meanwhile, Angeles City and the City of San Fernando landed second place for Best Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance Award in the highly-urbanized city and component city categories, respectively. Each received PHP200,000 cash incentive.
The other two finalists for best provincial DRRM are the provinces of Quirino and Dinagat Islands, each received a plaque of appreciation and PHP200,000 incentive.
