CATARMAN, Northern Samar– Three times in a row, the provincial government of Northern Samar again received the prestigious Gawad Kalasag Seal of Excellence Award in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance – Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCO) category for CY 2023.
The provincial government was declared as ‘fully compliant’ for adhering to the standards for the establishment and functionality of LDRRMCOs as prescribed by the Philippine DRRM law.

The Northern Samar PDRRMC and its PDRRMO was first recognized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council (NDRRMC) and the Regional DRRMC in 2021 and subsequently in 2022 for the province’s continuous efforts to attain risk resilience.

Chaired by Governor Edwin Ongchuan, the PDRRMC has continuously strived for excellence in disaster risk governance, to protect lives and properties, and to mitigate the effects of disasters especially in vulnerable communities.

The award was presented on December 20, 2023 in Palo, Leyte during the 23rd Gawad KALASAG Awarding Ceremony.
(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNEMNT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)