Municipality of Binalbagan—Office of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that is spearheaded by the Executive Director Dr. Patrick V. Mabag and LDRRM Officer in Charge Mr. Rey Antiquiera, garnered the 1st Place Gawad Kalasag for the Best LDRRMC 1st-3rd Class Municipal Category of the Office of Civil Defense in Negros Island Region. The Local Government of Binalbagan is considered an entry on Gawad Kalasag National Level (Municipal Category) because of giving emphasis on the best practices observed by the community in disaster preparedness. Gawad Kalasag stands for KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing and Kaligtasan. An award given to individuals, non-government organizations, private sectors and government organization on recognition of their initiative in helping the Filipino government uplift the standard of disaster management in the country.
The Municipality of Binalbagan accomplished the award for its best practices such as:
- Global Information System (GIS) mapping and manual Global Positioning System (GPS) which able to generate the hazard, vulnerability and capacity maps for identification of disaster prone areas through Household Information that is duly mapped and geo-tagged.
- Another LGU’s best practice is the Emergency Broadcast System that is created in partnership with the local radio station 98.5 Radio John, with the objective to provide information to the public and effective warning to protect the community of Binalbagan. In line with this is the distribution of AM/FM Radio Transceivers to upland and identified risk areas for easy dissemination of forewarned information in case of disaster occurrence.
- The accreditation of KAMI SUNOI (Kami ang Mabulig
sa Inyo Saligan Utod Ninyo sa Oras sang Ital-ital) Organization as Community Disaster Volunteers to the LDRRMC. This organization of Out-of-School Youth and Unemployed of Binalbagan were being trained as First Responders in case of disaster. Through the support of the LDRRMC Chairman Mayor Emmanuel I. Aranda, It is organized in purpose of uplifting the personality and lifestyle of the “SUNOI” or “istambay” in the society of Binalbagan by giving those trainings, seminars and programs in Emergency Response, Peace and Order, Music and Arts and General Services.The Local Government Unit of Binalbagan is proud and thankful for the opportunity given to represent the Negros Island Region in the National Level of Gawad Kalasag hand in hand with the support of the local community of Binalbagan.
