Strive hard for the people, DILG tells local governments

COTABATO CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government has urged local governments to strive hard and prioritize the welfare of their constituents as it awarded 16 local governments from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) the “Gawad Kalasag” award for their disaster risk reduction and management initiatives.

The awards were given during the 22nd National Gawad KALASAG Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance held recently here.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. flew to Cotabato City to award the local governments. “Congratulations to the 16 BARMM LGUs for winning the Gawad KALASAG Award. Ito po ay isang patunay sa husay sa paglilingkod-bayan at DRRM initiatives ng mga pamahalaang lokal. Ipagpatuloy po ninyo ito at pagsumikapang itaas ang antas ng serbisyo publiko dito sa BARMM,” he said.

“There’s a spirit of Bayanihan that is important in all of us and that is what you’ve done. You’ve acted far beyond the call of duty, even risking your own lives. Your sense of responsibility and vigilance before and during the crisis will always be known, will always be reported, and inscribed in our history,” he added.

Gawad Kalasag is the country’s recognition and award scheme for various stakeholders who promote and implement DRRM-Climate Change Adaptation and humanitarian assistance programs that protect and shield high-risk communities against extreme hazards and render them more capable of addressing their vulnerabilities spearheaded by the National Disaster DRRM Council through the Office of Civil Defense.

The awards were given to Upi, Maguindanao Del Norte under the Beyond Compliant category and 15 other local government under the Fully Compliant category which included the Maguindanao; Basilan;  Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Guindulungan, Paglat, South Upi, and Sultan Sa Barongis, all from Maguindanao Del Sur; Bubong, Piagapo, and Wao all from Lanao Del Sur; Lamitan City and Tuburan both from Basilan; Talipao, Sulu; and Parang, Maguindanao Del Norte.

On the other hand, the Jolo Emergency Rescue Network Inc. was the recipient of the Regional Award for Best Government Emergency Management and Response Teams while plaques of appreciation were also given to the Bangsamoro DRRM Council member agencies as well as DRRM Partners from both the public and the private sectors.

Bangsamoro Government representative and Ministry of the Interior and Local Government Director General Khalid Dumagay said: “By working together, headed by our common objectives of making lives easier for our people, our awardees despite the complex transition we currently are undergoing, coupled with natural and man-made calamities, you have proven that we in BARMM can cope with the best LGUs in the country.”

Sulu Task Force

Abalos earlier lauded Sulu Governor Sakur Tan for his active role in maintaining peace and order in the southern Philippine province where he recently helped organize “Task Force Bantay Dagat.”

The task force has nearly 400 Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary members under the supervision of the Philippine Army. They are also set to undergo military training and will help protect marine environments and enforce coastal laws.

“Bilib ako sa mga aksyon na ginagawa ni Gov. Sakur Tan upang mas mapatatag pa ang peace and order sa Sulu, dahilan ng patuloy na paglago ng kanilang ekonomiya,” Abalos said in a public statement, adding “katuwang ang Bantay Dagat at mga kasamahan nating government officials, patuloy tayong magkakaisa sa pagbibigay kapayapaan at kaayusan sa ating mga karagatan. Sa kabila ng ating pagkakaiba sa relihiyon at lingwahe, iisa ang ating mithiin; ang kasaganahan ng ating inang bayan!”

Abalos’ statement was also shared on social media by the Philippine National Police.

The 11th Infantry Division will facilitate the training of the Task Force Bantay Dagat which is composed of some 380 members. They will conduct maritime patrol utilizing 95 motorboats, according to Army Lt. Col. Abdurasad Sirajan, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command.

Tan said the task force was jointly launched by the provincial government and the 11th Infantry Division. “The task force will work with the security forces to protect the integrity of the territorial waters and marine environment, monitor illegal fishing, provide assistance in rescue operations, and enforce coastal laws,” he said.  

Marine Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, the acting chief of the Western Mindanao, also lauded the creation of the task force. “The Western Mindanao Command witnessed the unity and cooperation shown by the local government officials and the citizens of Sulu to address the peace and development issues and concerns in the province.”

“Good governance greatly contributed to the gradual change of the province’s image from terrorism to tourism. The establishment of the Task Force Bantay Dagat is a very good initiative to sustain peace in Sulu. Together let us eliminate the lawless activities in Sulu waters,” he said.

The formal launching of the task force last month was attended by senior defense and security officials led by Defense Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino, Jr.; Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr.; National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos; PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr.; Philippine Coast Guard Chief Admiral Artemio Abu; Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio; Bangsamoro regional police chief, Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon; and local government officials.

Faustino said the Department of Defense will integrate the operations of the task force in its internal defense system to bring about a holistic approach in protecting Sulu. Tan also held a meeting with Faustino’s group and briefed them on the improved peace and order situation in the province. (Mindanao Examiner)