by Anthony Lopez
For the second year in a row, Capiz State University was hailed as the National Grand Champion in the 21st Gawad Kalasag National Awards – Higher Education Institution Category held last December 6, 2019 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.
A rigorous evaluation and validation process were conducted to determine the efficacy of the disaster risk reduction management programs of the university including the availability of equipment necessary for emergency situations and the completeness of disaster preparation documentation, evacuation plans and protocols.
Based on the justification of the decision, Project DREAM (Disaster Resilient Empowered Adaptive Mitigation), the brainchild of the CapSU leadership, was one of the significant programs that has become a focal point of the institution’s activities in the Four Thematic Areas of DRRM.
The University was also praised for its efforts in ensuring that its DRRM programs and policies are inclusive, culture sensitive and gender responsive.
According to Prof. Arnel Van Aleligay, the University DRRM Chairperson, international protocols and standards were integrated into the current programs and policies. He mentioned that some protocols implemented are not so mainstream in the country, but, CapSU has adapted them as good practices.
Linkages with partner agencies, both in the public and private sectors, added positively to the overall result of the evaluation process. Efforts to contribute to national programs for environmental conservation, climate change adaptiveness, and disaster resiliency also received recognition from Gawad Kalasag.
As the champion, CapSU will receive a PhP 300,000.00 cash prize.
Overall, this is the third Gawad Kalasag win for CapSU with the first in 2017 when the University ranked as third place. The University will vie for the spot in the Hall of Fame as it competes for its third championship in 2020.
Gawad Kalasag is an award giving body which recognizes institutions in both the private and public sectors that contribute to the agenda of Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Humanitarian Assistance in the country.
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