LGU-Bayambang, through its MDRRM Council, formally received the Gawad Kalasag, a national award accorded by the Office of Civil Defense, in a ceremony held today, December 15, at the Hotel Ariana and Restaurant, Bauang, La Union.

Leading the Bayambang DRRM Council was Local DRRM Officer Genevieve U. Benebe.

MDRRMC Bayambang garnered a rating of 2.64 in the Gawad Kalasag Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs) Category for CY 2022 in which 3.0 is the highest rating.

Out of 1,715 LGUs (provinces, cities and municipalities) in the country, only 135 LGUs ranked as “Beyond Compliant.” Region 1 has 6 LGUs ranked as “Beyond Compliant,” out of 116 passing municipalities. Out of 44 municipalities in Pangasinan, only 5 LGUs were evaluated as “Beyond Compliant,” and Bayambang DRRMO is one of them.

Established in 1998, the Gawad Kalasag Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management serves as the country’s highest recognition and award scheme for various stakeholders who promote and implement disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation (DRRM-CCA), and humanitarian assistance programs that protect and shield high-risk communities against extreme hazards and render them more capable of addressing their vulnerabilities.

The Gawad Kalasag Search is a mandatory assessment for all Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) as they implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 10121 Sections 11 and 12, or the institutionalization of LDRRMOs or LDRRMCs, including the allocation and utilization of the Local DRRM Fund.

There are two (2) categories of the award: (1) “Fully Compliant,” which complies with the basic requirement as prescribed by all existing memorandums and (2) “Beyond Compliant,” which means the LGU in terms of DRRM and resilient community-building exceeded the standards for the establishment and functionality of the Local DRRM Councils and Local DRRM Offices as prescribed under Sections 11 and 12 of the Republic Act 10121.

In the program, Regional Director Dir. Eugene G. Cabrera delivered the welcome remarks, La Union Provincial Governor, Hon. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, gave the keynote message, and OCD-Service Director Dir. Elson T. Tayko gave the closing remarks.

Congratulations, MDRRMC Bayambang!