Kalinga PLGU conferred Gawad KALASAG Award, achieves "Beyond Compliant" rating

Tabuk City, Kalinga - In recognition of its outstanding efforts in building safer communities and effective emergency response, the Provincial Government of Kalinga recently achieved the prestigious "Beyond Compliant" rating in the 24th Gawad KALASAG Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance.

The recognition puts Kalinga on the list of model provincial government units that obtained good practices in terms of disaster risk reduction and management in the Cordillera region.

The RDRRMC-Cordillera announced the award on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

What is this "Beyond Compliant" award?

The "Beyond Compliant" rating is one of the highest awards given under the Gawad KALASAG (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) program to LGUs across the country that excel in the series of evaluations by the Regional Validation Committee (RVC).

The RVC was composed of highly competitive technical experts.

Such ranking emphasizes that the province of Kalinga has exceeded the 'minimum’ requirements of the recognition under Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

It also means that the PLGU implemented very innovative ways to enhance readiness at the community level while improving risk reduction and effective response during an emergency situation.

The Gawad Kalasag Program was established in 1998 by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It is the Philippines' first premier program for recognizing excellence in DRRM and humanitarian endeavors.

With its continuing innovation and investment in DRRM programs, PLGU Kalinga ensures that iKalingas will expect immediate emergency response and aid while also contributing to the national goal of building disaster-resilient communities across the Philippines.

Aside from the PLGU, one of its municipalities, the Local Government Unit of Balbalan also conferred the same award at the city/municipality level.