Baguio steps up in Gawad Kalasag 2023

The city government of Baguio improved its standing in the recently adjudged Gawad Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan (KALASAG) seal and special awards for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance for calendar year 2023.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong was elated that Baguio City was able to surpass its assessment standing from Fully Compliant last year to Beyond Compliant this year as announced during the 23rd Gawad KALASAG awards.

“Big congratulations to our partners in the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. This recognition is a result of the strong and dynamic partnership and collaboration among all main actors involved in risk reduction and management, the mayor said.  

He added that Gawad KALASAG award is a testament for all the CDRRMC partners’ invaluable efforts and unwavering support to the City Government.   

Other LGUs in the Cordillera Administrative Region adjudged as Beyond Compliant include Danglas in Abra; Bokod, Buguias, Kibungan, and La Trinidad in the province of Benguet; Bauko, Bontoc, Sagada and Tadian in Mountain Province.

The Gawad KASALAG was established in 1998 led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to honor and recognize stakeholders who champions in promoting and implementing disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation (DRRM-CCA).

Gawad KALASAG mandates LGUs to comply with sets of standards on humanitarian assistance programs that protects and shield high-risk communities against extreme hazards in an aim to capacitate LGUs of addressing their own vulnerabilities.

Fully compliant and Beyond Compliant LGUs in the Gawad KALASAG shall be prioritized for NDRRM fund assistance for DRRM projects, subject to existing policies and procedures. – JMPS