TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas’ commitment to disaster preparedness and response was spotlighted during the 2025 Gawad Kalasag Awards, where the region was praised for its strong collaboration among local governments, national agencies, and partner organizations.
Civil Defense Administrator and Undersecretary Harold Cabreros, keynote guest at the January 20 event held at the Radiant Hotel and Events Place, commended the region’s sustained efforts in disaster risk reduction, mitigation, and resilience-building.
“Eastern Visayas has become a living example of transformation, and we must continue moving forward with the same dedication,” Cabreros said, emphasizing that past disasters in the region have reshaped the nation’s approach to disaster preparedness.
The awards recognized outstanding local government units, agencies, and institutions for exemplary DRRM, humanitarian assistance, and climate adaptation initiatives.
Top awardees included Southern Leyte and Samar (provincial category); Ormoc City (independent city); Borongan City, Maasin City, and Catbalogan City (component city); and municipalities such as Catarman, Sogod, Laoang, Silago, Can-avid, and San Roque across various income classes.
Additionally, 38 city and municipal DRRM Councils and Offices received Gold Awards, while 69 councils were named Silver Awardees. Special recognitions went to Biliran Provincial Hospital, Police Regional Office 8, Catarman Emergency Response Unit, and Southern Leyte State University.
Organized by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Gawad Kalasag Awards—also known as Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan—honor exemplary implementation of disaster preparedness and climate resilience programs nationwide.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
