THE Tarlac Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), along with the DRRMCs of Tarlac City, Concepcion and Pura received the 2022 National Gawad Kalasag (GK) Seal for Excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance for the Local DRRM Council and Offices category.
Tarlac PDRRMC and the three other Tarlac LGUs were conferred the “Fully Compliant” seal for effectively addressing the needs of vulnerable communities, especially in times of disaster.
The Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) award is the 5th national award for Tarlac PDRRMC as was likewise awarded in 2015, 2016, 2017 (Hall of Fame) and last year.
The Tarlac PDRRMC first submitted its entry for the Best Government Emergency Management (GEM) Basic Search and Rescue Category in 2013 and ended up bagging 3rd place in the regional level.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) awards the GK Seal to Local DRRM councils and offices for adhering to the “standards for the establishment and functionality of the local DRRM Councils and local DRRM Offices” outlined in Republic Act 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
RA 10121 was crafted to strengthen the Philippine DRRM system, reinforce the NDRRM framework and institutionalize the NDRRM plan.
PDRRMC Tarlac, chaired by Governor Susan Yap and is headed by Marvin Guaing, has always exhibited its preparedness whenever a typhoon or possible flooding is imminent by conducting regular meetings with LDRRMOs and other concerned agencies and organizations.
In a statement, Gov. Yap said that, “The 2022 Gawad Kalasag award is a clear manifestation of Tarlac PDRRMC’s commitment and dedication to building a resilient community and creating a pool of effective and steadfast council members and responders.”
Other Central Luzon provinces who received the award are Aurora, Bataan and Zambales.
The LGUs of Dingalan in Aurora, Llanera, San Isidro and San Leonardo in Nueva Ecija, Malolos City, Meycauayan City, City of San Jose del Monte and Calumpit in Bulacan, Balanga City, Orion and Pilar in Bataan, San Fernando City, Minalin, Porac and Sto. Tomas in Pampanga, and Olongapo City and Castillejos in Zambales were likewise named fully compliant.—Arvin F. M. Cabalu
