The Army’s 30th Infantry PYTHON Battalion won for the first time the Caraga Regional Search for Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang kaligtasan) for the Government Emergency Response Management GEMS Category. Gawad Kalasag is the country’s premier annual awards for outstanding contributions in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and humanitarian assistance.
The unit as spearheaded by Lieutenant Colonel Allen Raymund Tomas, Battalion Commander received the KALASAG Plaque of Recognition and 50,000 pesos cash that will be used for DDRM related activities from the Office of the Civil Defense Caraga Region during the awarding ceremony held at Almont Resort, Butuan City during the culmination of National Disaster Resilence Month on August 8 2017.
Gawad Kalasag is one of the most prestigious government awards given to the Army Unit which has its area of operation in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. The 30IB had won the award for the first time and will be representing Caraga in the National Search for Gawad KALASAG this year.
“This award would not be made possible without the supportive efforts of our counterparts from our local DRROs (Surigao City DRRO and SDN Provincial DRRO) who became our partners in rescue during different calamities happened in Surigao del Norte” 2nd Lieutenant Castillo, Civil Military Officer of 30IB said.
“This is a very significant award for it has recognized our efforts in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. It is true that the Arny is not only dedicated in securing our territories but also devoted in selfless service to the Filipino people”, Lieutenant Colonel Tomas, Commanding Officer said.
The 30th Infantry Battalion based in Sta Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte is an Army Unit operating in the provinces of SDN and Dinagat Islands. It is under the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Cagayan de Oro City.(w/report from Terti Aybee)
