Bulacan wins Save The Children DRRM contest

CITY OF MALOLOS — Bulacan took home eight out of nine awards in the Search for Excellent and Comprehensive Child-Centered Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans of Save the Children Philippines through their Project ENCORE (Enhancing the Resilience of Urban Communities to Disasters and Climate Change) held at the 8th Floor Jesse M. Robredo Hall DILG NAPOLCOM Center, Quezon City recently.

According to Rowena Joson-Tiongson, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, the contest was launched in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government, LGUs and Department of Education to encourage local government units and schools to develop child-centered DRRM plans.

For the city and municipality level, Obando won first place and received one fiber glass boat with motor and three life jackets; Paombong landed on the second spot and won one fiber glass boat, three life jackets and two fire extinguishers while Bustos placed third and took home one fiber glass boat and three life jackets. All of them received plaques of recognition.

For the Barangay Level, Pinagtulayan in Norzagaray won first place with one fiber glass boat, two life jackets and P15,000; Sto. Rosario in Hagonoy got the second place and received three fire extinguishers, four life jackets plus P5,000 and Malamig in Bustos, placed third won three fire extinguishers and P5,000. All of them also received plaques of recognition.

Bulacan also won the majority awards in School Category where Sta. Maria National High School won the first prize and received P40,000 and a plaque of recognition, Hagonoy West Central School got the second prize and took home P25,000 and a plaque of recognition while Melencio M. Castelo Elementary School (Quezon City) won the third prize and received P10,000 plus plaque of recognition.

Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that Bulacan will always support programs and activities that are good for the community and that will have impact on the lives of the people.

“Sa panahon kasi ng kalamidad o ng emergency hindi lang matanda ang kumikilos, mas mabuting habang mga bata pa lang itinuturo na natin ang mga dapat gawin para tulung-tulong pa din at hindi sila mataranta,” Alvarado said.

The search is open to all areas covered by Save The Children ENCORE’s project like cities, municipalities, barangays and schools in Bulacan and National Capitol Region where Comprehensive Child-Centered Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Plans and Comprehensive Schools Safety Training were rolled-out.