Iloilo Province, 31 LGUs hailed for DRRM initiatives
The province of Iloilo and its 31 local government units were cited by the Office of the Civil Defense VI and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for their exemplary programs in building a safer and resilient community for the Ilonggos.
They were recognized during the Regional VI Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Assessment Recognition Ceremony on April 28, 2026 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel which celebrates the dedication of LGUs in prioritizing safety and resilience.
The province of Iloilo clinched the Gold Award, garnering a rating of 2.73 or beyond compliant, for its DRRM initiatives.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. received the award from Office of Civil Defense Administrator and Undersecretary Harold Cabreros and OCD VI Regional Director Raul Fernandez.
Accompanying him in receiving the recognition are Board Member Rolando Distura and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Col. Cornelio Salinas (Ret.).
The Gold Award was also earned by seven LGUs namely: Anilao, Carles, Leganes, Maasin, Mina, Passi City, and Pavia.
Additionally, 24 municipalities were recognized as Silver Awardees. They are: Alimodian, Badiangan, Barotac Viejo, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Concepcion, Dingle, Dumangas, Guimbal, Igbaras, Lambunao, Leon, Miagao, New Lucena, Oton, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Enrique, Santa Barbara, Sara, Tigbauan, Tubungan, and Zarraga.
Two Iloilo LGUs also received the special award for Best Government Emergency Management and Response Teams (GEMS) namely: Passi City Responders in Disasters and Emergencies (PRiDE) and Calinog Search and Rescue (CSAR).
In his address, Governor Defensor detailed his Executive Order 111, which institutionalizes a comprehensive system for peace, order, and resilience across the province of Iloilo.
Known as 4K for MoRProGRes (Kapayapaan, Kaayusan, at Katatagan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Bagong Pilipinas), the program calls for a collaborative action in ensuring that the general welfare of every Ilonggo remains protected against internal and external threats.
“4k for MoRProGRes is how we do things here in Iloilo. We are all facing internal and external threats – we have typhoons, pandemics, earthquakes, and other lingering situations. Peace, order, and resilience are prerequisites for national development. That is why we have to shape up and we adopt the urgent development approach in addressing them,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, Colonel Salinas attributed the award to the hard work and dedication of the PDRRMO staff, the members of the Provincial Community Defense Cluster, and all stakeholders.
“In unity there is strength. We are looking forward to sustaining this award next year,” Salinas said. (Capitol News)
