The municipality of E. B. Magalona received the 2024 Gawad Kalasag Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) for being a “Fully Compliant” Local Government Unit (LGU), at the 24th GK national and regional awarding ceremonies at Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo City Dec. 11.
Receiving the GK Seal for the Municipality were Vice Mayor Eric Matulac and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Mary Angeline Gustilo.
Matulac, vice chair of the MDRRM Council, represented Mayor Marvin Malacon, who chairs the council at the awarding rites.
This is now the fourth consecutive year that E. B. Magalona won the national Gawad Kalasag award, the town said in a press release.
The National Gawad Kalasag Selection Committee said “Fully Compliant” LGUs are “generally adherent to the standards for the establishment and functionality of the Local DRRMOs as prescribed in Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine DRRMC Act of 2010.”
The other functionality level is “Beyond Compliant”.
Office of the Civil Defense Region 6 director Raul Fernandez, who led the presentation of award to E. B. Magalona, said the awarding ceremony is a “celebration of the exceptional work and dedication of individuals and organizations, who have made significant strides in DRRM, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance programs.”
Kalasag, a term for “shield” used by early Filipinos to protect them from enemy attacks, stands for “KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan”. Gawad Kalasag serves as the country’s recognition and award scheme for LGUs and other stakeholders that promote disaster risk reduction and management efforts. ||
