OCD-ARMM kicks off NDRM 2018 with ‘Run for Resilience’

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao --- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officially kicked off last July 01 the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) 2018 with a three-kilometer fun run activity, dubbed as “R4R: Run for Resilience.

” Jofel Delicana, OCD-ARMM Information Officer, said the fun run started around 5:00am at the Camp Siongco grand stand, channeled at the gate 2 and traversed at the oval along the national highway before they finally went back at the grand stand open field where participants joined a zumba performance.

“Our main objective here is to promote resilience and at the same time consistently create public awareness about DRRM through maintaining a healthy and fit body,” Delicana said.

Delicana also took the opportunity to thank the 300 more or less participants who took part in the successful conduct of the said  activity. “We would like to take special mention to the uniformed personnel particularly from the units under the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, Philippine Air Force TOG-XII, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP), PAGASA Cotabato, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC), 6th Division Training School (DTS), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), 6th Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion, DRRM partner-agencies and civilian partners,” Delicana said.

Delicana added, the fun run is just the opening salvo for the annual observance of the NDRM.

“The whole month of July is also dedicated to solicit support and cooperation of the public as well as partners from different government line agencies, local government units, and various sectors of society to participate in the implementation of DRRM programs,” Delicana said.

The R4R has top three (3) finishers who received plaques and cash prizes.

George Andrade from the Department of Education (DepEd) who bagged the 1st place received a plaque and Php 7,000.00 cash prize.

In 2nd place is Raymark Sorianosos, still from DepEd, received a plaque and Php 5, 000 cash prize. Edgar Sepeda from the 6th DTS grabbed the 3rd place and received a plaque and Php 3, 000 cash prize.

Meanwhile, various activities are lined-up for the month-long observance of National Disaster Resilience Month.

Delicana said they are slated to hold an ‘essay writing contest’ for high school students and 'poster making contest' for elementary pupils.

“There will also be a tree planting activity, resilience caravan, distribution of information and education campaign materials that will focus on the four thematic areas of disaster risk reduction. Eventually, we will also stage this month the awarding of winners of the 20th Galawad Kalasag for the ARMM,” Delicana emphasized.

This year’s NDRM carries the theme: “Katatagan sa Kalamidad ay Makakamtan Kapag Sapat ang Kaalaman sa Kahandaan". (Gil Acosta Lao)