GAWAD KALASAG EVALUATING TEAM IN OLONGAPO

The 2009 Gawad Kalasag Evaluating Team arrived in Olongapo City on July 13, 2009 to assess the programs, projects and activities related to disaster risk reduction and mitigation, preparedness and response of the city government.

This is in connection with the city's nomination for the prestigious 2009 Gawad Kalasag City Disaster Coordinating Council Awards under the Highly Urbanized City category sponsored by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

“As a leader of this city, it is my responsibility to consistently ensure the preparedness of my fellow Olongapeños whenever disasters come our way. We do not want to experience lost of properties and lives, as well,” Mayor James Gordon, Jr. said.

He added that “being nominated to the top three contenders is already a great honor for the city government and winning the top plum in the Gawad Kalasag-Best CDCC is now our main goal.”

The national validating team was composed of Andres Drexel Roque of League of Cities in the Philippines; Charmaine Villanueva of PhiVolcs and Regina Marino of Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

During the team's visit, members of the Olongapo City Disaster Coordinating Council (OCDCC) and Disaster Management Office (DMO) through Angelito Layug presented a powerpoint presentation of the city’s programs and activities for preparedness, mitigation, response and rehabilitation in case of disaster strikes. The City Planning and Development Office also presented the Community-Based Monitoring System of the city to the evaluating team.

The validation and documents submitted by the city regarding its programs and projects for the said nomination will largely affect the city's standing. As winner in the regional level, Olongapo City is competing in the national level with the rest of Highly Urbanized Cities in the Philippines such as Makati and Legaspi .

Meanwhile, Olongapo Cityh was been recently cited as a Hall of Famer as the Best City Disaster Coordinating Council in Region III. The Hall of Famer Award in Region III will be handed over to the city on July 28, 2009 in Malacañang.

Mayor James Gordon, Jr. poses with the 2009 Gawad Kalasag Validating Team namely from L- Charmaine Villanueva of Phivolcs, Andres Drexel Roque of the League of Cities in the Philippines and Regina Marino from the Office of Civil Defense at the Disaster Management Office (DMO) on July 13, 2009.

Pao/nmm