REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES mc HATONAL DISASTER RK National Disaster Risk Reducon and COUNGL ment Center, Camp Aguinldo, Quezon Gi, Philipines JAN 11 2017 NORRMC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR No. Ils. 2017 To : Members, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC); Chairpersons, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs); Metro Manila DRRMC; Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao DRRMC; and Local DRRMCs; and Other Concerned Offices SUBJECT : Guidelines on the Gawad KALASAG: Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance CY 2017 Reference: » NDRRMC Memorandum Circular No. 02, s. 2016 dated 30 August 2016 on the Revised Guidelines of Gawad KALASAG: Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance “Gawad KALASAG” (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) 1 BACKGROUND KALASAG is the Filipino term for “shield” used by early Filipinos as a means of Protection from attacks of enemies or harmful animals (National Disaster Coordinating Council, 2008). Hence, the concept of Gawad KALASAG was adopted while establishing the country's recognition scheme to various stakeholders that design and implement Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) programs that protect and shield high risk communities against hazards and render them more capable of addressing their vulnerabilities and coping from disasters, We may recall that PD 1566 of June 11, 1978 was issued to strengthen the Philippine disaster control capability and to establish a community disaster Preparedness program nationwide. In response to this, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) initiated in 1998 the Gawad KALASAG as a mechanism in obtaining sustained commitment and support by recognizing exceptional contributions Telefax: NORRMC Opoen (+582) 011-1406, 012-2665, 012.5668, NORRIMC Secretarial (1690) TE OM@T ‘Ofice ofthe Adminstrator, Office of Cv Defonee (+622) 912-2424 Email opoen@odrme gov.oh Website: wyrwndrms.aov phof DRRM practitioners in strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacities of nations and communities to disaster risks. In 2008, the international community signed a 10-year Disaster Risk Reduction (ORR) strategy called the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) at the World Conference ‘on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan. The HFA sets out three strategic goals, namely: (@) integration of disaster risk reduction into sustainable development policies and planning; (b) development and strengthening of institutions, mechanisms and capacities to build resilience against hazards; and, (c) systematic incorporation of risk reduction approaches into the implementation of emergency preparedness, response and recovery programs, As a signatory to the HFA, the Philippine Government, through the NDCC, adopted the above-mentioned strategic goals by developing and enhancing current plans, programs and activities on DRR. Overtime, supported by a legal framework as the foundation to institutionalize policies, structures, programs and coordination mechanisms on DRR at all levels, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System (PDRRMS) initiated a paradigm shift from reactive to a more proactive stance on DRRM. Hence, with the passing of PDRRM Law or Republic Act 10121 in May 27, 2010 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations in September 27, 2010, the Philippines displayed its global commitment to implement the international framework (HFA) for building resilience of nations and communities to disasters and reducing vulnerabilities and risks to hazards. This also resulted into the elevation of the NDCC to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which focuses on four thematic areas of DRRM, namely: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Rehabilitation Significantly, the Gawad KALASAG Search, spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense and NDRRMC remains to be one of the country's fully institutionalized programs that promote the spirit of volunteerism among agencies and individuals, measure the capacity and capability of various stakeholders in identifying risks and vulnerabilities in the community, and address challenges on human-made and natural emergencies and disasters. Further history can be found in Annex A (Historical Background) I. OBJECTIVES The annual Gawad KALASAG Search aims to recognize outstanding performances of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs), Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMCs), CivilSociety Organizations (CSOs), educational institutions including Early Leaming Centers (ELCs) and Higher Education institutions (HE!s), Government Emergency Management or GEM (Basic and Advance), Hospitals, Volunteer Organizations, Private (Business/Corporate) Organizations, and Individuals who have shown acts of heroism during disasters and emergencies, and other major stakeholders that continue to render ‘exemplary contribution in promoting and implementing significant and gender sensitive DRRM-Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) programs and innovations that build ‘community resiliency in the long term. mM. TION P All LDRRMCs, BDRRMCs, organizations, institutions, groups, and individuals shall be eligible subject to the guidelines and criteria set forth by the National Selection Committee (NSC) composed of members of the NDRRMC. The list of member-agencies (regional and national levels), structure, functions, recognition and incentives, travel expenses and honoraria, GK timeline, and provisions for regional and national awards, can be found in Annex B (Structure and Institutional Arrangements). The Regional Selection Committee (RSC) shall submit ONLY relevant evidential documents in chronological order in accordance with the standard checklists appended in this Circular. ONLY the first place winners per category will advance to the national level, and each must have garnered a score of 80% and duly endorsed by the RSC to the NSC. Nominees per category are selected through desktop evaluation and field validation by the RSC at the regional level and the NSC at the national level. All first place winners per category at the regional level that have been duly endorsed to the NSC shall compete at the national level. The NSC shall determine the top three (3) nominees for each category thru desk validation and field validation. During desk evaluation, percentile scoring is used against the prescribed checklists, The Search covers thirty (30) categories and the full list can be found in Annex C (Categories of Awards). Those who have won first place at the national level for three (3) consecutive years in the same category shall be given a Hall of Fame Award. The Hall of Fame Awardee may again join the Search only after three (3) years from receipt of sald Award. For purposes of documentation and database management, all regional winners (1, 24, 3") are required for submission to the Central Office, OCD, IV. THE EVALUATORS The Gawad KALASAG Evaluators are composed of the members of the Selection Committees at the national and regional levels. The Validating Teams for each category will also come from the NSC at the national level and the RSC at the regional level.