Manila, Philippines – For its effective disaster risk management programs, the Makati City government has received the Gawad Kalasag Award in the nationwide search for this year’s Best City Disaster Coordinating Council.

As the official entry of the National Capital Region (NCR) at the national level, Makati bested other regional finalists, Iligan City and Cebu City, in the Highly Urbanized City Category, where it obtained the highest score in the four phases of disaster management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation said the selection committee of Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan), of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

The award aims to recognize the outstanding performance of disaster coordinating councils in providing humanitarian assistance and effective emergency response.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. thanked the NDCC for recognizing the intensive efforts of the city government to constantly beef up its disaster management capabilities through investing in modern equipment and infrastructure and in the proper training of its peacekeeping forces.

 “We are honored and grateful for this new recognition that serves to validate our firm commitment to keeping our city safe for our constituents and for all stakeholders,” Binay said.

When the Gawad Kalasag was launched in 2006, Makati won first place in the national level, and had held the regional title for three consecutive years, thus achieving ‘hall of fame’ status in the NCR.  Last year, the city won second place nationwide in its category.

The award body particularly cited the Makati Rescue and the Makati C3 EARS (Command, Control and Communication Emergency Alert and Response System) Center. The command center has a geo-mapping system, call management and response system, automated vehicle locator system, and real-time video surveillance.

The Makati Rescue, a component of the MCDCC that renders both medical and technical support services to different communities, agencies, and institutions, is recognized as one of the best rescue teams in the country.

It has received several recognitions for its timely and life-saving operations, which go beyond the city limits. The Makati Rescue has also participated in search, rescue and relief operations in other localities.

Other awardees include the province of Albay as Best Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council; the municipalities of San Jose De Buenavista, Antique and Guimbal, Iloilo as Best Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council 1st to 3rd Class Municipality Category and 4th to 6th Class Municipality Category respectively;  Brgy. Sta. Rita, Olongapo City (urban) and Brgy. Poblacion, Tupi, South Cotabato (rural), Best Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council.

Makati has been recognized by the World Bank as a “climate-resilient city” because of its many environmental initiatives that seek to address air, water and land pollution and other factors that contribute to the degradation of the environment.