A CELEBRATION come early for the 447th Aldo ning Kapampangan on Dec. 11.
The prestigious 20th National Gawad Kalasag was awarded to the Pampanga Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) in fitting ceremonies at the AFP Amphitheater last Tuesday.
As fittingly, it was Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, the hands-on prime mover at PDRRMC as vice chair, that received the award for the Philippines’ best in disaster risk reduction endeavors from Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Since his assumption of the vice governorship, Delta has been granted carte blanche powers by Gov. Lilia G. Pineda in matters disastrous, so to speak. His is a rallying, saving presence in floods, fires, storms, not only in Pampanga but even in other disaster areas, as in Leyte-Samar in the wake of Yolanda, as in Lando-struck Nueva Ecija, and floods that ravaged Bataan and Olongapo.
That Delta has proven himself more than par for the calamitous course has been proven with the Pampanga PDRRMC’s elevation to the regional Gawad Kalasag Hall of Fame with its top performance for five consecutive years, and its runner-up finish in the 2016 national awards.
“Gusto ko ligtas tayo lagi sa kalamidad at sakuna.” The vice governor’s mantra hews well to the resolve of the Kapampangan to be prepared for any disaster, and if it comes, the determination not only to survive but to surpass it. As they did in the worst disaster of the past century that was the Mount Pinatubo eruptions and its lahar aftermath.
Yes, the National Gawad Kalasag is as much a recognition to the PDRRMC as a tribute to the triumphant Kapampangan spirit rising out of the ashes of Mount Pinatubo and continuing to soar in the face of any calamity that may befall upon the people.
It helps – tremendously – though to have Delta around, when that comes. There is the assurance that Pampanga will remain in good hands in years to come.
Luid ya ing Kapampangan!
