Iloilo LGUs honored for climate prep and resilience

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The province of Iloilo and its 31 component local government units were recognized for disaster preparedness and resilience during the Regional VI Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Assessment Recognition Ceremony on April 28.

The provincial government, along with its municipalities and component cities, received Gold or Silver awards from the Office of Civil Defense Region VI and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which OCD chairs.

Iloilo province earned a Gold Award after posting a rating of 2.73, classified as “beyond compliant,” for its disaster risk reduction and management programs.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. accepted the award during the ceremony at Iloilo Grand Hotel.

Seven Iloilo local government units also received Gold Awards: Anilao, Carles, Leganes, Maasin, Mina, Passi City, and Pavia.

The remaining 24 municipalities were cited as Silver awardees, reflecting provincewide compliance with disaster preparedness standards.

Two Iloilo-based response teams also received special recognition for Best Government Emergency Management and Response Teams: Passi City Responders in Disasters and Emergencies and Calinog Search and Rescue.

In his speech, Defensor highlighted Executive Order 111, which institutionalized the province’s “4K for MoRProGRes” program aimed at strengthening peace, order, and resilience.

“We are all facing internal and external threats — typhoons, pandemics, earthquakes, and other lingering situations. Peace, order, and resilience are prerequisites for national development,” the governor said.

Provincial DRRM Office chief Cornelio Salinas credited the recognition to the collective efforts of provincial personnel, the Provincial Community Defense Cluster, and stakeholders.

“In unity there is strength. We are looking forward to sustaining this award next year,” Salinas said.

The recognition underscores Iloilo’s efforts to enhance disaster resilience, a key priority in Western Visayas, which is frequently affected by typhoons, flooding, and other natural hazards.

The Regional VI DRRM Assessment recognizes local governments that meet standards for disaster preparedness, response capacity, risk reduction, and resilience-building programs.