Central Luzon Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has announced the winners in the 2023 Gawad Kalasag Special Awards.
RDRRMC Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) OIC-Regional Director Shelby Ruiz emphasized that the search is not only focused on responding to disasters.
“It is also on proactively managing risks, recognizing the importance of disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation, and even rehabilitation in building resilient communities and highlighting initiatives that empower communities to be disaster-ready and capable of minimizing the impact of natural and human-induced hazards,” she added.
Palayan City Rescue Team topped the Best Government Emergency Management and Response Teams category while Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital was declared as the Best National Government Hospital and Tarlac Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade as the Best Volunteer Organization.
Moreover, educational institutions who bagged honors include Alasasin Elementary School as Best Public Elementary School, Camp Tinio National High School as Best Public High School, and Tarlac Agricultural University as Best Higher Educational Institution.
Heroic Act-Posthumous category was likewise bestowed to five heroes of Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office who perished during a rescue mission at the height of Super Typhoon Karding last September 25, 2022.
The winners will be Central Luzon’s entries in the national competition.
Meanwhile, Ruiz also expressed her gratitude to the members of this year’s Regional Selection Committee (RSC) for their full support and active participation.
The 2023 RSC is composed of OCD, and representatives of Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Education, Department of Health Central Luzon Center for Health Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Red Cross Pampanga Angeles Chapter, and Police Regional Office 3. (PIA 3)
