COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) proudly extends its sincere congratulations to the distinguished recipients of the 23rd Gawad KALASAG Seal and Special Awards for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance.
These accolades were specifically conferred in the Best Public Schools Category at the Regional Level, underscoring the exceptional commitment to safety and preparedness demonstrated by the awardees.
Headed by Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal (IQ), the MBHTE is one of the 15 primary ministries of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Gawad KALASAG, an acronym for “KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan,” stands as a testament to the relentless efforts of institutions and individuals in championing DRRM initiatives in the Philippines. This program, spearheaded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), aims to recognize and elevate endeavors related to disaster risk reduction and management.
Within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the elementary and high schools that stood out for their outstanding contributions in the Elementary and High School categories are as follows:
Elementary Category
1. Cotabato City Central Pilot School, Cotabato City Division
High School Category
1. Cotabato City National High School – Main Campus, Cotabato City Division
2. Parangbasak National High School, Lamitan City Division
These institutions have been acknowledged for their remarkable initiatives in promoting and implementing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, as well as Climate Change Adaptation (DRRM-CCA).
The official recognition ceremony, hosted by the OCD-BARMM, took place on Monday, December 18, 2023, at the City Mall Convention Hall in Cotabato City.
This achievement stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Ministry to provide quality education while prioritizing safety and security for all. The Education Ministry takes immense pride in witnessing the well-deserved acknowledgment of these schools and anticipates that their exemplary efforts will serve as an inspiration for other educational institutions to follow suit.
Established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the Bangsamoro region is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.