Pasig Search and Rescue bags 2011 Gawad KALASAG Award

For its continued response and sustainable disaster preparedness program for Pasigueños, the Pasig City Search and Rescue Unit again bagged the 2011 Gawad KALASAG Award for Best Government Emergency Managers.

City Mayor Bobby Eusebio personally received the award during the National Awarding of Recognition for Excellence in Disaster Risk Management and Humanitarian Assistance held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers' Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, October 13.

Eusebio said the recognition serves to inspire and validate the efforts of the city government especially in encouraging and supporting community-based disaster risk reduction training.

The Gawad KALASAG or "Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan," is an annual recognition program of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) for excellence in disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance.

This year's National Selection Committee was headed by no less than Secretary of National Defense and NDRRMC chairman, Voltaire T. Gazmin, DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, and USec. Benito T. Ramos NDRRMC executive director and OCD administrator.

Through the years, the prestigious award encourages local government units, non-government organizations, and communities to strive for excellence in disaster preparedness.

Pasig City Search and Rescue is a specialized unit that responds during emergency situation.

In 1995, the former 'Rescue 211' started as a volunteer arm of the city government with basic knowledge on life saving techniques geared for urban setting.

Soon, the volunteer group has evolved to be the city government's premier emergency responder
following the United Nation's International Search and Rescue Advisory Group guidelines.

Aside from its highly-trained personnel, the rescue group also takes pride of their state-of-the-art equipment.

Meanwhile, Eusebio continues to upgrade the capabilities and manpower of their rescue unit to serve better the community. (PIA)