BUTUAN CITY - The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga receives a Certificate of Commendation from the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) with its chair agency, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga, during the National Disaster Resilience Month 2022 Culmination Program and Regional Awarding of Gawad KALASAG Seal for Local DRRM Councils/Offices and Special Awards for Organizations and Conferment of Recognition to Partner-Stakeholders on July 29, 2022 held at the Main Atrium of OCD Caraga Building / Government Command and Control Center (GCCC), Camp Romualdo C Rubi (P), Bancasi, Butuan City.
In the photo, from left to right, is [1] DOST Caraga Regional Director and RDRRMC Vice-Chairperson for Prevention and Mitigation Engr. Noel M. Ajoc, [2] DILG Caraga Asst. Regional Director Engr. Donald A. Seronay representing DILG Caraga Regional Director and RDRRMC Vice-Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness Dir. Lilibeth A. Famacion, CESO III, [3] OCD Caraga DRRMD Chief Lorene Catedral representing OCD Caraga Regional Director and Chairperson of Caraga RDRRMC Dir. Liza R. Mazo, [4] NNC Caraga DMO II Raphael P. Ochavo, [5] DSWD Caraga Regional Director and RDRRMC Vice-Chairperson for Disaster Response Dir. Ramel F. Jamen and [6] Paul Edward B. Castillo, NEDA Caraga Supervising Economic Development Specialist, representing NEDA Caraga Regional Director and Vice-Chairperson for Rehabilitation and Recovery Dir. Prescilla R. Sonido, CESO III.
In her welcome message, delivered by DILG Caraga Asst. Regional Director Engr. Donald Seronay, DILG Caraga Regional Director and RDRRMC Vice-Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness, Dir. Lilibeth A. Famacion, CESO III commended the partners and stakeholders for the exemplary performance implemented during the COVID-19 response and during the Typhoon Odette response and recovery efforts. She added and stressed that disaster preparedness is one of the key thematic areas of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan and that LGUs must ensure to establish and strengthen capacities of communities to anticipate, cope and recover from the negative impacts of emergency occurrences and disasters. RD Famacion congratulated as well the local government units (LGUs) who are recipients of the Gawad KALASAG Seal for Local DRRM Councils/Offices and challenged the LGUs for continued concerted efforts for disaster preparedness by ensuring that the DRRM guidelines are followed, local legislations are issued in support to the DRRM plan, and appropriate funds be allocated to bolster efforts on disaster preparedness as part of good local governance. 77 out of 78 LGUs received the Gawad KALASAG Seal, with 13 LGUs who are partially compliant, 31 LGUs who are fully compliant and 33 LGUs who are beyond compliant.
RDRRMC Vice-Chairpersons also delivered their messages focusing on their respective thematic areas and stressed boosting of efforts in the disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster response and disaster rehabilitation and recovery.
Development Management Officer II (DMO II) Raphael P. Ochavo received the award on behalf of the NNC Caraga, one of the recognized partners of the RDRRMC actively involved during the Typhoon Odette response and recovery efforts focused on nutrition. Nutrition, as sub-cluster of the Health Cluster, is spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council which shall ensure that the nutritional status of affected population especially the most vulnerable groups such as infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, older persons, people with disabilities, and people living with debilitating conditions will not worsen or deteriorate due the impact of emergency and disaster. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), volunteer and private organizations such as United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Philippines, World Food Programme (WFP), Oxfam International and others were also recipients of the award.
In 2017, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Executive Order No. 29 renaming the National Disaster Consciousness Month to National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) and shifting its focus from disaster awareness building to disaster resilience. This year, the NDRM theme is "Sambayanang Pilipino, Nagkakaisa Tungo sa Katatagan at Maunlad na Kinabukasan", emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and highlights the unifying efforts of all sectors and communities toward sustainable development.
OCD Caraga Regional Director and RDRRMC Chairperson Dir. Liza R. Mazo, who joined the culmination and awarding ceremony via online, officially closed the program by briefly conveying the RDRRMC's and OCD Caraga's gratitude to all significant entities, members of the RDRRMC, partners and stakeholders, private and volunteer organizations and the men and women in uniform and stressed that no amount of recognition is tantamount to the efforts and sacrifices rendered by all personalities and agencies during the COVID-19 and Typhoon Odette events. RD Mazo also highlighted with great pride the 77 LGUs, especially the 33 LGUs, who performed beyond from what it set by the standards. She added that may the LGUs sustain the gains and continue to excel for a more disaster-resilient Caraga Region. #RPOchavo
References:
https://www.nnc.gov.ph/phocadownloadpap/userupload/nnc-ro5/DPO-2492-A-Cluster.pdf
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2017/06jun/20170628-EO-29-RRD.pdf
