The Makati City Disaster Coordinating Council (MCDCC) bested other local councils in the search for NCR’s best, earning the right to represent the region.
Hector Reyes, acting executive officer of the MCDCC, said the award recognizes Makati’s capability to respond to emergencies. The city was also cited for its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to other localities.
Reyes said the National Disaster Coordinating Council’s Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing and Kaligtasan) award aims to recognize the outstanding performance of disaster coordinating councils in providing humanitarian assistance and effective emergency response.
Makati Rescue, a component of the MCDCC that renders both medical and technical support services to communities, agencies and institutions, is recognized as one of the best rescue teams in the country.
It has received two medals of merit from the Philippine Coast Guard for its role in the search and retrieval operations following the M/V San Nicolas and Superferry 14 collision, and a certificate of recognition from the Philippine Air Force for its participation in the search, rescue and relief operations after the landslides in Aurora and Quezon provinces.
Recently, the city launched the Makati C3 EARS (Command, Control and Communication Emergency Alert and Response Center).
Best described as a "mini-911," the center is capable of receiving and responding to emergency calls anywhere in Makati on a 24-hour basis.
Equipped with a Global Positioning System, the center can locate and dispatch response teams from police, fire, emergency health and rescue, and other public safety agencies to critical areas.
The Gawad Kalasag assessment focused on the four phases of disaster management, namely: mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation.
Makati received the highest score in all four phases.
Regional selection and validating committees were composed of members from the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
Early this year, Makati provided funds for the construction of new school buildings as part of the rehabilitation of Barangay Guinsaugon in Southern Leyte, which was severely affected by a landslide last February 10.
Makati also used its calamity fund to assist local governments in Nueva Ecija affected by the flash floods in December 2004.