Capiz State University was awarded the Best Higher Education Institution and Hall of Fame awardee at the 23rd Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) National Awards for Higher Education Institution Category conferred by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).
The awarding ceremony took place at Manila Hotel, Ermita, Manila, December 11, 2023
No other than CHED Chairperson Dr. J. Prospero de Vera handed the awards to Dr. Editha C. Alfon, CAPSU President, who received the prizes together with Dr. Wennie F. Legario, Vice President for Administration and Finance; Dr. Arnel Van V. Aleligay, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Director, and Dr. Elmer M. Albaladejo, National Service Training Program Director. CAPSU won 2 plaques, a certificate, and P300,000 in cash.
CAPSU won the awards for exhibiting excellence and relentless commitment to resilience-building and humanitarian assistance programs; for sustaining the CAPSU DREAM project, a flagship initiative of CAPSU leadership, embodied in their approved ISO manual to enable communities to adopt to disasters; for proactively implementing specific DRRM activities that address the idiosyncrasies of the three campuses and six satellite colleges; for fostering a well-established partnership with the Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations, Private Organizations, and other sectors; and for demonstrating exemplary passion and appreciation of the leadership of the CAPSU officials on the value of DRRM and humanitarian assistance.
Gawad KALASAG, as outlined in Memorandum Circular no. 01 series of 2008 by the National Disaster Coordinating Council, aims to acknowledge outstanding performance by local disaster coordinating councils, private/volunteer organizations, NGOs, donor agencies, and communities as key stakeholders in implementing significant DRRM projects and activities. Furthermore, it aims to recognize individuals, groups, or institutions that have displayed extraordinary courage, heroism, self-sacrifice, and bravery during natural and human-made emergencies and disasters.
This year, the GK Seal and Special Awards 2023 covered seven (7) major categories: (1) GK Seal for Local DRRM Councils and Offices; (2) GK Special Awards for Civil Society Organizations (i.e. Best Civil Society Organization, Best People’s Organization, Best Volunteer Organization); (3) Hospitals; (4) Schools; (5) Private Organizations; (6) Government Emergency Management and Response Teams; and (7) GK Special Recognitions which includes Heroic Act, Special Recognition for Individuals and Organizations.
The award scheme aimed at generating sustained commitment and support from LGUs and other DRRM practitioners by recognizing “their exceptional contributions in strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacities of society and communities to disaster risks.”
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