TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), together with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), has recognized 106 local disaster risk reduction and management councils and offices (LDRRMCOs), along with four institutions, for their outstanding contributions to disaster preparedness and resilience in Eastern Visayas.
The recognition underscores the efforts of local councils and partner institutions in strengthening community resilience, improving preparedness measures, and enhancing overall disaster response capabilities across the region.
RDRRMC also awarded top-performing councils and offices per category after achieving the highest performance ratings at the regional level.
The council also expressed its appreciation to DRRM frontliners, local officials and partner agencies for their continued dedication.
“Your hard work, commitment, and dedication have paid off,” the council said, emphasizing the collective effort that continues to fortify the region’s resilience.
For the 2025 DRRM champions, Southern Leyte emerged as the top provincial awardee, followed by Samar province in second place. Ormoc City was the lone awardee in the independent component city category.
In the component city category, Borongan City took the top spot, followed by Maasin City and Catbalogan City.
For 1st–3rd Class Municipalities, Catarman, Northern Samar ranked first, with Sogod, Southern Leyte in second place and Laoang, Northern Samar in third.
In the 4th to 5th class municipalities category, Silago, Southern Leyte secured the top award, followed by Catarman and San Roque, both from Northern Samar.
Awards were conferred on LDRRMCs and offices that demonstrated exceptional DRRM performance.
Awardees include several cities and towns in Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte.
Special recognition was also given to outstanding institutions such as Biliran Provincial Hospital for Local Government Hospital Top Awardee, Philippine National Police Eastern Visayas for Special Recognition (Organization), Southern Leyte State University for Higher Education Institution Award, and Catarman Emergency Response Unit for Advanced Local Government Emergency Response Team.
The RDRRMC said the awards aim to inspire local governments and institutions to further strengthen their disaster preparedness and resilience-building initiatives. (PNA)