Gawad Kalasag 2024 Cancellation DRRM Officers Demoralized, Seek Answers

The Power of Gawad Kalasag 2024 Cancellation DRRM Officers Demoralized, Seek Answers

Introduction
The sudden cancellation of this year's Gawad Kalasag has left local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) officers demoralized and seeking answers. In this blog post, we'll explore the impact of this decision on DRRM professionals and advocates across the country.

The unexpected cancellation of this year's Gawad Kalasag, a national award for excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), has sparked widespread frustration and demoralization among local DRRM officers and disaster management professionals and advocates nationwide. Those who had invested significant time and effort into the assessment process are particularly affected.

Gawad Kalasag was reportedly on the verge of suspension, with an advance copy of the memorandum effecting the suspension obtained by The Manila Times. This move has raised questions about the true effectiveness of the award system and whether it genuinely fosters resilience or merely prioritizes institutional compliance.

The Demoralizing Impact on Local DRRM Officers

A local DRRM officer from Luzon lamented, This is demoralizing for those who put effort into this assessment. They should consider the sacrifices made. Many of his fellow LDRRMOs have already been informed of the plan to suspend the award and are awaiting the Office of Civil Defense's (OCD) official communication.

Critiquing Compliance vs Capability

The reported cancellation has prompted introspection within the DRR community about the true effectiveness of the award system. A senior official from an NDRRMC-member agency offered a critical perspective, stating that the pursuit of Gawad Kalasag recognition may sometimes overshadow the genuine goal of building community resilience.

Recognizing Unsung Heroes

A local DRRM officer from the Visayas called for recognition of DRRMO personnel who perform the essential groundwork from preparedness to recovery operations. They emphasized that the focus on high-level recognition often leaves out those who truly make a difference in disaster response.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The sudden cancellation of this year's Gawad Kalasag has left many in the DRR community questioning the true effectiveness of the award system and its impact on local DRRM officers. As the DRRM community continues to evolve, it is essential to recognize the efforts of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure disaster resilience.

To address this issue, we recommend

The NDRRMC develops a new framework for Gawad Kalasag that prioritizes substance over spectacle and rewards local governments (LGUs) for saving lives.
Local DRRM officers are recognized for their efforts in building community resilience.
* The award system is revised to focus on recognizing the real heroes of disaster response – those who perform the essential groundwork from preparedness to recovery operations.

By acknowledging the sacrifices made by local DRRM officers and recognizing their efforts, we can work towards a more effective and resilient disaster management system.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.