Iloilo city: The Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council have recognized 33 local government units in Iloilo for their exemplary performance in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). This recognition was part of the Regional DRRM Assessment Recognition Ceremony, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, as confirmed by OCD-6 Public Information Officer Maria Christina Mayor in a recent interview.

According to Philippines News Agency, the award ceremony, a rebranded version of the Gawad Kalasag Award, highlighted the efforts of local government units, schools, and volunteer organizations in enhancing disaster preparedness and response. The assessment focused on four thematic pillars: disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and disaster rehabilitation and recovery. The province of Iloilo and several municipalities, including Anilao, Carles, and Leganes, received the Gold Award for Excellence in DRRM for surpassing the set parameters.

Municipalities such as Alimodian, Badiangan, and Barotac Viejo were honored with the Silver Award. Recognition was also extended to organizations like Passi City Responders in Disasters and Emergencies, Calinog Search and Rescue, and the Iloilo Citizen's Action Group Volunteer Fire Brigade, which were among the top three national finalists.

Iloilo City, receiving the Gold Award for the fourth consecutive year, underscores its commitment to advancing effective disaster management initiatives. These initiatives include conducting regular disaster drills at city and barangay levels, continuous training of DRRM councils, implementing early warning systems, and executing pre-emptive evacuation protocols.

Maria Christina Mayor noted that the awardees demonstrated preparedness during disasters, with the region experiencing minimal casualties due to the readiness of local government units and stakeholders. Undersecretary Harold Cabreros of the OCD emphasized the importance of translating the region's capacity into performance during emergencies. While recognition for other provinces in Western Visayas took place last year, ongoing reviews of the Gawad Kalasag aim to introduce stronger parameters and stricter guidelines in the future.