Occidental Mindoro has been recognized as the best province in the country (besting 81 other Philippine provinces) for its outstanding disaster risk reduction and management efforts, receiving the prestigious Gawad Kalasag Seal from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The award, presented by President Bongbong Marcos Jr. at the 24th Gawad Kalasag National Awarding Ceremony in Pasay City today, Dec. 13, 2024, is the government’s primary recognition scheme for stakeholders who promote and implement disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance programs.

The Gawad Kalasag award is designed to recognize and honor individuals, groups, and local government units that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to disaster risk reduction and management, and have made lasting contributions to protecting high-risk communities against extreme hazards and disasters.

This year, a total of 424 local government units were rated as “beyond compliant” to the established parameters toward achieving national resilience, while 866 LGUS were rated as “fully compliant.”

In addition to Occidental Mindoro, other awardees included Malungon, Sarangani, as the best municipality in the 1st to 3rd class category, and Cagwait, Surigao Del Sur, as the best municipality in the 4th to 6th class category.

The City of Caloocan was recognized as the best highly urbanized city, while Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, was named the best component city, and Santiago City, Isabela, was awarded as the best independent component city.

Individual awardees included students John Niño Suarez and Emer Jhune Donaire, who were recognized for their bravery in saving a drowning victim in Cebu during the “amihan” season. They received the Gawad Kalasag Seal, a certificate of commendation, and P50,000 each.

Rafael “Paeng” C. Valencia was also given a special recognition for his innovative contributions to climate change and DRRM policies.

The “Hall of Fame Award” was presented to organizations that have consistently excelled in three consecutive Gawad Kalasag cycles, including Alasasin Elementary School, Federation Iloilo Fire Brigade, Inc., Socio Pastoral Action Center Foundation, Inc., and SN Aboitiz-Power Magat, Inc.

Other first placers in the Special Awards Category included Camp Tinio National High School, University of Cordilleras, Catarman Emergency Response Unit, City of Ilagan Medical Center, and Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

The 525th Combat Engineer Battalion was also given a special recognition for their rapid response to disasters and humanitarian crises.

NDRRMC Chairman and Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the importance of cascading disaster risk awareness down to the lowest political unit, the barangay, and every citizen, and thanked the local government units and civic organizations for their leadership and contributions to disaster risk reduction efforts.

The awarding ceremony comes after a series of devastating typhoons hit the country in November, citing the need for disaster risk reduction awareness among Filipinos.

Teodoro said it is the responsibility of the national government to cascade disaster risk awareness down to the lowest political unit, the barangay, and every citizen “with the end in view of developing conditioned responses to particular emergencies.”