Awarded annually by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) – National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC), the Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan), aims to recognize and award significant initiatives of LGUs that promote and advance DRRM in the country.

 

In September 4 2023, the OCD – Regional Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (RDRRMC) Bicol validated LGU-Camalig as a regional qualifier for the Gawad KALASAG 2023 award after a series of comprehensive and strict evaluations.

 

The evaluations included an extensive assessment of various areas such as the structure, competency, management systems, enabling policies, knowledge management, advocacy, and partnerships of the local government. These factors had to meet the stringent standards and functionality of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs).

 

In a statement, Camalig Local Chief Executive, Hon. Carlos “Caloy” Irwin G. Baldo, Jr. highlighted the instrumental efforts of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office (MDRRMO), headed by Mr. Rommel V. Negrete, Jr., PhD, JD, D Hum, which led to LGU-Camalig’s recent achievement, “This award goes first to the people and secondly, to our MDRRMO. With their exceptional work ethic and tireless dedication in implementing life-saving programs, this milestone wouldn’t have been possible,” Mayor Caloy said.

 

“We are dedicated to bolster even more the resilience of the barangays. This is our unwavering promise to the people. They are our inspiration, and establishing a more secure and prepared Camalig is our goal”, Mayor Caloy added, emphasizing his mandates to strengthen, even more, the resilience of local communities against natural and man-made disasters.

 

MDRRMO chief, Mr. Rommel V. Negrete, Jr., PhD, JD, D Hum, further expressed gratitude to the OCD and highlighted the importance of their collective efforts in DRRM, “Let me take this opportunity to express the Camalig MDRRMO’s genuine thanks to all the members of the MDRRM-CCAMC and its support units for your noble and substantial service to the people of Camalig. I am an eye witness of your leadership, support, and guidance, as we engross the period of transforming Camalig into a green, safe, sustainable, all-inclusive, and disaster-resilient local government. I hope that this award will further inspire our men and women of LGU-Camalig to further hone their knowledge, skills, and expertise in the delivery of DRRM –CCAMC related programs, projects, and activities”.