City recognized as among the best disaster reduction management council

The City Government of Davao received an amount of P200,000 after being one of the finalists for the best disaster reduction management council – highly-urbanized city in the country awarded December 4.

“The award solidifies the drive of the city government of Davao to serve the public,” Lyndon Ancajas, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) administrative officer and Central 911 training officer said on Monday during the regular flag ceremonies.

Ancajas, however, emphasized that there are still a lot of things that the city needs to improve and develop in order to be recognized as best highly-urbanized city disaster reduction management council nationally.

“Aside from being the finalist, the city was also acknowledged as best government emergency management system because of our fast and responsive Central 911,” Ancajas added.

Gawad Kalasag is a recognition given among organizations, local DRRM councils, groups, institutions and individuals, for outstanding contribution in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance.

“Davao City was awarded for putting premium on the promotion of a deeper understanding of hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks of its communities and for prioritizing and allocating ample resources that paved the way for the enhancement of skills, knowledge and perspectives to achieve disaster resilience,” said Ancajas.

He also explained that the “City is seamlessly integrating environmental protection and management, livelihood and resource generation, family and community preparedness and ensuring that organizational structures, policies, and programs on disaster risk reduction and climate change are in place and working, with its citizenry sharing a common vision of safety, preparedness, and resiliency.”

“These accomplishments are all notable contributions to the national effort to build a safer, climate change adaptive and disaster resilient Philippines, worth emulating by our people,” said Ancajas. (Julianne A. Suarez)