THE City Government of Tagbilaran, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), formally concluded the 2025 National Disaster Resilience Month with a culminating event on July 31, 2025, at the City Hall Atrium, recognizing local champions of disaster preparedness and community resilience.
The event opened with a welcome message from CDRRMO Head Gerard Lavadia, followed by the presentation of plaques of commendation to various government agencies, organizations, and offices that played crucial roles in disaster preparedness and response.
Honorees included former City Councilor Eliezer Borja, City Primary Care Facility, City General Services Office, City Planning and Development Office, Bureau of Fire Protection-Tagbilaran, Tagbilaran City Schools Division, TaRSIER 117, 702nd CDC, several civil society and volunteer groups including Chocolate Hills Amateur Radio League, Inc. (CHARL), Kabalikat Radiocom, Philippine Red Cross-Bohol Chapter, CUERA-Tagbilaran, and key private partners such as URBAN-ACT, Catholic Relief Services Philippines, T3CK Trading, Mega Speed ICT Solutions, Inc., and Davcom Consumer Goods Trading.
A video presentation showcasing the highlights of the inter-school video-making contest and the judging process for the Best Barangay in Disaster Preparedness provided an inspiring glimpse into the city’s proactive initiatives in building disaster-resilient communities.
The Interschool Video Making Contest 2025 recognized the creativity and awareness of students from participating schools, including Holy Name University, Mansasa National High School, Manga National High School, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, City of Tagbilaran National High School, and Tagbilaran City Science High School.
Taking home the First Place was Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS) – First Place, followed by Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS)– in Second Place, and Tagbilaran City Science High School in Third Place. These entries stood out for their strong messaging, creativity, and relevance to disaster resilience themes.
This was followed with the awarding of Tagbilaran City’s Best Barangay in Disaster Preparedness Awards 2025 which recognized barangays that have demonstrated exceptional efforts in disaster risk reduction and emergency readiness.
Ubujan was declared First Place, with San Isidro and Manga receiving Second and Third Place, respectively.
These barangays were lauded for their preparedness plans, community drills, and sustained engagement in disaster risk management.
Mayor Jane Yap, in her inspirational message, emphasized the value of preparedness and collective responsibility in reducing disaster risks.
“Disaster resilience is not only the work of government institutions—it is a shared commitment of every family, school, organization, and barangay. Let us continue to be proactive, alert, and united,” Mayor Yap said.
She also highlighted that the City Government of Tagbilaran has procured upgraded evacuation supplies, which include inclusive hygiene kits, first aid kits, stainless steel eating and cooking utensils, pillows, blankets, and durable evacuation tents.
These are ready for distribution to families displaced by disasters, further bolstering Tagbilaran’s emergency response capacity.
In line with the celebration, the Tagbilaran City DRRM Office also launched a Disaster Preparedness Exhibit at the City Hall Atrium on July 28 to 30, 2025. The exhibit showcased rescue tools, emergency kits, educational materials, and even a thrilling zipline experience for visitors to enjoy and learn from.
With strong partnerships, equipped resources, and an informed citizenry, Tagbilaran City continues to stand as a model of disaster preparedness in Bohol and the country.
