THE Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) has announced that the search is now open for the 2016 Gawad Kalasag for excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Humanitarian Assistance.
Sharva Hamsi of the OCD-Zamboanga Peninsula said the Gawad Kalasag is an annual search for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
Kalasag stands for Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan.
Hamsi said the search is designed to encourage participation of various stakeholders in crafting and implementing DRRM related policies, strategies and programs to protect or shield the hazard prone communities from adverse impact of natural and human-induced calamities.
Hamsi said those who wish to join the search must pass the desk and field validations as well as deliberation.
She said they have until Tuesday, February 28, to submit application to join the search.
The awarding of winners is on July in time for the National Disaster Consciousness Month.
The search is open for the following categories namely city, municipality, and provincial disaster risk reduction and management officers, hospitals, schools, early learning centers, higher education institutions, urban and basic government emergency and response management, civil society organizations, volunteers, people’s organizations and private organizations.
Hamsi said the winners will receive plaque and cash prizes. A plaque of recognition will also be awarded for the heroic act and special recognition.
For the first prize, the winner receives P50,000, second prize winner receives P30,000 while third prize winner receives P15,000. (Bong Garcia/VoxPop Philippines)