DAVAO CITY—City Administrator lawyer Zuleika Lopez on Monday received a P100,000 check for Davao after it won the top prize in the Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang kaligtasan) Awards for highly urbanized city category.
Gawad Kalasag is one of the most prestigious government awards given to a city. Davao City had won the award several times in the past, but this is the first time for the city to be at the top, according to Central 911 chief Emmanuel Jaldon.
Gawad Kalasag is a recognition given for outstanding contribution in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance.
It is the principal mechanism by which the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council promotes awareness of the best practices in DRRM and humanitarian response and action.
Jaldon said the city bagged the most-coveted award because of the combined effort of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, as well as other government and private sector agencies.
“Kalasag,” which means shield in Filipino, is a symbolic terminology signifying protection from disaster. It is making the city disaster-resilient, and putting in efforts in risk reduction management to protect communities. Gawad Kalasag was conceived to shield high-risk communities against disasters.
“It is a very important component of the Seal of Good Local Governance and will contribute to the city’s efforts to be recognized by the Department of Interior and Local Government,” he said.
The NDRRMC conferred the Gawad Kalasag award to Davao City for its achievements in the following areas: establishment of the first intelligent Public Safety and Security Command Center, establishment the highest standard in public safety service, establishment of a hotline that ensures the city has an efficient and effective response system, beyond state-of-the-art operations center and exhibiting genuine commitment, dedication and political will beyond the call of service.
