1. Second Session of the Global Platform: Plans for National Inputs – PHILIPPINES GLENN J RABONZA Administrator, Office of Civil Defense & Executive Officer, National Disaster Coordinating Council Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines Meeting of the ISDR Asia Partnership United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand 23-24 March 2009

2. THEME: “Recognizing Results on Disaster Risk Reduction”  Governments can promote the significance of implementing the HFA instrument by identifying good practices and establishing an award scheme that gives due recognition to individuals, institutions, and partner organizations which have successfully and innovatively translated the HFA mantra into tangible results  An award scheme on disaster risk reduction can:  Provide good models for replication/customized adoption;  Reinforce and help sustain the drive of the local government units and other stakeholders for more proactive and pioneering initiatives;  Serve as a catalyst for policy reforms at the national and local levels;  Be a vehicle for greater public and private sector partnership and an incentive for positive behavioral change;  Be instrumental in creating stimulus in the socio-political environment to direct stakeholders’ energies towards meaningful DRR work; and …Show empirical data that HFA and its priority actions are being and can be done…

3. CONCEPT: Gawad KALASAG Awards in the Philippines  In 1998, the NDCC initiated the Gawad KALASAG: Search for Excellence in the Disaster Risk Management and Humanitarian Assistance. “Kalasag” is the Filipino term for “shield” used by early Filipinos as a means of protection from attacks of enemies or harmful animals.  The award scheme aims to recognize the exceptional contributions of the various DRM practitioners and humanitarian workers and promote the spirit of volunteerism among agencies and individuals in providing the much needed help during disaster response.  Through the Gawad KALASAG, the Philippine Government is creating adequate space and an enabling environment for producing HFA results by providing rewards and incentives for multi-level and multi-sectoral involvement in disaster risk reduction.

4. CONCEPT: Gawad KALASAG Awards in the Philippines Categories of award include: 1. Local Disaster Coordinating Councils (Province, City, Municipality, Barangay) 2. NGOs on Humanitarian Assistance 3. Private/Volunteer Organizations and Government Emergency Managers 4. Schools and Hospitals 5. Heroic Act/Deed of Groups and Individuals (surviving and posthumous) during Emergency Response and Rescue Operations 6. Partner Organizations Doing CBDRM (Donor Agency, NGO, and Media) 7. Special Recognition

5. CONCEPT: Gawad KALASAG Awards in the Philippines  The awarding ceremony of the Gawad KALASAG is the highlight of the annual observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) being held every July. The President of the Philippines confers the plaques, citations, and cash awards to the winners of the KALASAG.  To date, 49 local government units, 18 NGOs, 15 individuals, and 54 groups/institutions have received various recognitions from Gawad KALASAG. Out of these awardees, six (6) have been conferred with the Hall of Fame award.

6. METHOLOGY: Marketplace  The Concept – “Gawad KALASAG”  Display of brochures, posters, and banners  The Advocates and Practitioners – “Hall of Fame Corner”  Launching of “Ten Years After” video documentary and catalog illustrating a collection of short case stories of Gawad KALASAG Hall of Fame awardees  Display of plaques, citations, and IEC materials of Hall of Fame awardees  The Good Practices – “Partners in Action”  A compilation of videos will be shown not only those that are related to the KALASAG awards but also existing documentaries of good practices featuring successful case stories on disaster risk reduction.  Launching of the “Philippines’ Progress Report on HFA Implementation (2007-2009)”

7. Administrative Arrangements  Agency of Primary Responsibility  Office of Civil Defense – National Disaster Coordinating Council  In Partnership with:  National  Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)  Members of the NDCC’s Gawad KALASAG–National Selection Committee  Oxfam  Regional  UNISDR Bangkok  UNDP Bangkok  DIPECHO Bangkok  ADPC  AusAID

8. If you want to go fast… act on your own; If you want to go far… act as a group; If you want to go fast and far…by all means, select your partners! Thank you….