March 29, 2024

Submission of nominations for the 2020 Gawad Kalasag is now open.
This year, the screening committee added a new category – Best Private Organization (business or corporate) that also includes a sub-category each for micro, small, medium and large businesses.  
Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera Gawad Kalasag focal person Rachelle Cacas convened on Feb. 28 the Regional Screening Committee and representatives from the different provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils in the region for an orientation about the award and on the timeline for the regional screening and validation.
She sought the support of the Cordillera Regional DRRMC member agencies and the different local DRRM councils in searching for the best practices in DRRM and humanitarian assistance in their respective areas of responsibility.
“This is in recognition of their exemplary contributions and efforts in achieving safer, adaptive and disaster resilient Cordillera communities and towards sustainable development,” she said.
Deadline for regional entries is on March 27.
For more information, contact the OCD-Cordillera at 444-5298 and 0927-123-7114 or email them at [email protected].
In 2019, the Regional Selection Committee received a total of 21 entries. Eight of these entries were submitted to the National Screening Committee for final validation with five making it as national Gawad Kalasag awardees.
Kalasag is a Filipino term for shield which was used by early Filipinos as a means of protection from attack of enemies or animals.
Gawad Kalasag which stands for “KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan” was adopted as the country’s recognition program for various stakeholders who design and implement DRRM programs that protect and shield communities against hazards and render them more capable of addressing their vulnerabilities and in coping with impacts of disasters.
The award’s major categories are Best Local DRRM Councils/Committees from the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays; Best Civil Society, Volunteer, and People’s Organizations; Best Schools from children development centers, elementary and high schools – both public and private, higher educational institutions and for hospitals.
There is also a Gawad Kalasag search for Excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance for national government, local government units and government specialty. Another category is Heroic Act of individuals/groups in providing humanitarian assistance. – Carlito C. Dar