CDRRMO takes part in the GAWAD KALASAG 2024 special award evaluation

August 12, 2024

For the first time, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) joined the GAWAD KALASAG 2024 special award evaluation last July, this year.

 Nag-try lang kami para mabal-an man namon ang amon kakayahan kay we’ve gone a long way already sa pag-establish sang government response.” CDRRM Officer Cyrus Jose J. Urbano said, so as to gauge their ability, capacity, and initiatives in terms of actions taken during catastrophe since he believes that the City Government of Koronadal has come a long way when it comes to establishing a government emergency response.

Apart from the above-mentioned, Urbano wanted to highlight and showcase the existence and special features of KORONA 911. He also wishes other government agencies to appreciate its unique merit. At the same time, he assumed that it is the sole advanced program existing in the entire SOCCSKSARGEN.

Urbano further stated that through KORONA 911, the system for emergency response has become more centralized. The CDRRM official also narrated its distinctive qualities such as the ability to convene different volunteer organizations that have to do with responding. It includes a radio communication network, particularly KABALIKAT – a national and international organization; Koronadal Search and Rescue (KOSAR) Team – a private association; the transportation sector;  the leading supermarket in this city and volunteer institution coming from the city’s 27 barangays and other government and private agencies as well.

Currently, the CDRRMO is also working on a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the private hospitals that would take care of patients in times of crisis.

KORONA 911 was launched in 2019 during the first term of City Mayor Atty. Eliordo U. Ogena.  

GAWAD KALASAG 2024 Special Award evaluation, on the other hand, is different from the regular annual evaluation, since the latter has been focusing on the best practices of an LGU while the annual assessment deals with the whole accomplishments of an office.

Meanwhile, the evaluation team was composed of offices from Region XII specifically the Office of the Civil Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, and Philippine Red Cross-General Santos City Chapter.