LEGAZPI CITY — The Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) is set to receive the Gawad Kalasag (GK) Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance for Calendar Year 2024, from the Office of the Civil Defense Regional Office 5 (OCD 5) in recognition of its exemplary disaster risk reduction and management efforts.

The award will be conferred to Albay along with seven other local government units (LGUs) during a ceremony on December 12, 2024.

Albay has been recognized under the “Fully Compliant LGUs” category, along with Tabaco City and the municipalities of Polangui, Daraga, and Sto. Domingo.

Meanwhile, Camalig and the cities of Legazpi and Ligao are included in the “Beyond Compliant LGUs” category.

The Gawad Kalasag is one of the most prestigious awards given to LGUs nationwide, acknowledging their outstanding achievements in disaster risk reduction and management, effective calamity response, and the successful implementation of disaster mitigation efforts within their jurisdictions.

Albay holds a historic distinction as the first province in the country to receive this prestigious honor since the establishment of the Gawad Kalasag in 1998.

In 2012, it was declared a Hall of Famer after winning three consecutive awards.