88 Bicol LGUs honored for disaster readiness, resilience

AWARDEES Officials of the 88 local governments in the Bicol region pose with their respective plaques during the Gawad Kalasag (localities with best disaster preparedness programs) awarding held in Legazpi City on Dec. 12. —MICHAEL JAUCIAN

LEGAZPI CITY – Eighty-eight local government units (LGUs) from the Bicol region were recognized for their preparedness in time of calamities and disasters at the 2024 Gawad Kalasag Awards on Thursday.

The Gawad Kalasag, which stands for “Kalamidad at Sakuna Laban, Sariling Galing ang Kalikasan,” is the country’s highest recognition for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) efforts. These awards celebrated their exceptional disaster preparedness programs, which have saved countless lives and strengthened community resilience.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol Director Claudio Yucot said this year’s awardees included 35 LGUs that exceeded compliance standards and were recognized as beyond compliant and 53 as fully compliant for meeting national DRRM standards.

“The growing number of awardees—from 12 in 2022 to 88 in 2024—is a sign of progress.

This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about creating safer communities and saving lives. It’s proof of the Bicolanos’ resilience and determination to adapt to the challenges of climate change and disasters,” Yucot said.

Among the awardees was Mobo town in Masbate, which received the National Gold Award for Beyond Compliant LGUs, accepted by Mayor Raymund Doni Salvacion.

Salvacion said the award reflected “the sacrifices and tireless efforts of our responders, volunteers, and community members,” noting that in his town, “disaster preparedness is a way of life,” where “everyone—from local leaders to ordinary citizens—work together to protect each other from harm.”

Journey to resilience

Mobo’s preparedness was paid off during past typhoons, which frequently visited Masbate, where preemptive evacuations and community-led initiatives resulted in zero casualties, added Salvador in an interview Thursday.

“From preemptive evacuations to relief operations, we’ve created a system that prioritizes every life. This award proves that our efforts are not in vain,” he added.

For Mayor Kristine Salve Hao-Kho of Mandaon, Masbate, receiving the Gawad Kalasag for the first time was both an honor and a challenge.

“Being recognized for the first time is overwhelming. It means we’re doing something right, and our people are in safe hands,” Hao-Kho said in a separate interview.

Hao-Kho admitted that the work could often feel relentless, with disasters lurking yearround. “But when you see zero casualties and know your community is safe, you realize it’s all worth it,” she added.

Iriga City Mayor Wilfredo Rex Oliva, another awardee, said their Kalasag “reflects the collaborative efforts between the LGU and the community in disaster preparedness.”

Mayor Adrian Salceda of Polangui in Albay said his town bagging the award for the first time “inspire(d) us to keep pushing forward,” as achieving zero casualties during disasters has always been their collective goal.

Regional resilience

Yucot also emphasized the significance of the awards in promoting a culture of preparedness.

“The Gawad Kalasag is not just about recognition. It’s about inspiring others to take proactive steps in disaster preparedness,” Yucot said.

He said the increasing number of awardees through the years “reflects Bicol’s progress and determination to adapt to challenges.”

This year’s Beyond Compliant LGUs included the provincial governments of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

Cities like Legazpi, Iriga, and Masbate also received top honors, along with municipalities like Donsol in Sorsogon and Virac in Catanduanes.

The Fully Compliant Compliant LGUs included the provinces of Albay and Catanduanes and the independent city of Naga.