(4th Parangal para sa Pusong Magiting Banner)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office National Capital Region (DSWD FO NCR) successfully hosted the 4th Parangal para sa Pusong Magiting from October 21-24, 2024, at the Demeter Escapade Hotel and Resort in Lipa City, Batangas. This annual event celebrates and recognizes the outstanding contributions of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Metro Manila towards enhancing disaster response and preparedness.
This year’s theme, “One Community, One Goal: One Safe Future,” highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration in disaster preparedness and response. It aimed to showcase the best practices, innovations, and the collective efforts of the seventeen (17) LGUs within the National Capital Region (NCR) toward building a safer future for all.
(Group photo of all the participants of the event)
Ten (10) LGUs from Metro Manila—Manila City, Mandaluyong City, Muntinlupa City, Caloocan City, Marikina City, Las Piñas City, Malabon City, Quezon City, Paranaque City, and Taguig City—gathered to share their experiences and innovations in disaster response operations. Through this collaboration, the event promoted the exchange of ideas and the potential replication of successful strategies to improve disaster preparedness across the region.
(Photos of all LGU who participated in the 4th Parangal Exhibt)
The event featured an exhibit showcasing the LGUs’ best practices through various formats, including narrative presentations, photo exhibitions, innovative displays, audio-visual presentations, and advocacy materials. A panel of three esteemed judges assessed the presentations based on creativity, effectiveness, and impact. The panel consisted of Atty. Froilie Somera, Central Office Project Development Officer IV from the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau; Ms. Ma. Fe Elli; and Ms. Eva Villegas, Social Welfare Officer III of Marillac Hills.
At the conclusion of the event, the following LGUs were recognized for their exemplary contributions in various categories:
- Most Exemplary in Photo-story: Las Piñas City
- Most Exemplary in Innovations: Muntinlupa City
- Most Exemplary in Short-Video Presentation: Quezon City
- Most Exemplary in One-Practice Narrative Documentation: Taguig City
- Most Exemplary in Disaster Response Operations Reporting: Muntinlupa City
- Most Exemplary in Disaster Preparedness: Quezon City
- Most Exemplary in Disaster Response and Early Recovery Operations: Quezon City
- Most Exemplary in Public Speaking: Paranaque City
- Most Exemplary in Exhibit: Mandaluyong City
- Most Exemplary in Yearly Accomplishment (Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation): Quezon City
- Most Exemplary in Yearly Accomplishment (Response Operations): Quezon City
(Mr. Jonathan San Agustin, Social Welfare Officer III and Head of the Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Section (DRRS)
Mr. Jonathan San Agustin, Social Welfare Officer III and Head of the Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Section (DRRS), formally concluded the event. He reminded the participating LGUs to continue their efforts in making Metro Manila disaster-resilient, emphasizing that DSWD-NCR remains committed to providing technical assistance and resource augmentation to support these initiatives.
As the vice-chair of the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) Response Cluster and an active member of the three (3) other clusters within the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management framework, DSWD-NCR is mandated to lead in providing response and early recovery assistance to LGUs and intermediaries, while promoting initiatives in prevention, mitigation, preparedness, recovery, and rehabilitation.
This year’s Parangal para sa Pusong Magiting served as a powerful reminder of the collective strength of LGUs and the unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and resilience of Metro Manila’s communities.###