BAGUIO CITY, Mar. 6(PIA) -- Nominations for the 2020 Gawad Kalasag is now open and the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) is calling on member agencies and local DRRM councils to help in attracting more entries.

"Kalasag" is the Filipino term for shield which is used by early Filipinos as a means of protection from attack of enemies or harmful animals.

Gawad Kalasag which stands for "KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing and Kaligtasan" was adopted as the country's recognition program for various stakeholders who design and implement DRRM programs that protect and shield high risk communities against hazards and render them more capable of addressing their vulnerabilities and in coping with impacts of disasters.

The Search's major categories include Best Local DRRM Councils/Committees from the provinces, cities, municipalities down to the barangay level; Best Civil Society, Volunteer and People's Organizations; Best Schools from children development centers, elementary and high schools- both public and private- and higher educational institutions and for hospitals.

There is also the Gawad Kalasag search for Excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance for national government, local government units and government specialty. Another category is Heroic Act of individuals/groups in providing humanitarian assistance.

For this year, a new GK category is the Best Private Organization (business or corporate) that also includes a sub category each for micro, small, medium and large businesses.

Office of Civil Defense - Cordillera GK focal person Rachelle Cacas convened on February 28 the Regional Screening Committee and representatives from the different provincial DRRM Council in the region for an orientation on Gawad Kalasag, and on the timeline for the regional screening and validation.

She sought the support of the CRDRRMC member agencies and the different local DRRM Councils in searching for the best practices in DRRM and humanitarian assistance in their respective area of responsibility.

"This is in recognition of their exemplary contributions and efforts in achieving safer, adaptive and disaster resilient Cordillera communities and towards sustainable development," she said.

Deadline of submission of regional entries is set on March 27, 2020.

For more information about GK, interested person or group can call OCD - CAR at (074) 444 - 5298 and 09271237114 or email them at [email protected].

In 2019, CRDRRMC received a total of 21 entries by the Regional Selection Committee. Eight were submitted to the National Screening for the final validation with five making it as national GK awardees. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)