BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga awarded and recognized its Klimalasakit partners during the second day of the 2025 Regional Disaster Response Management Conference (RDRMC) held at the Watergate Hotel, Butuan City.
With the theme “Empowering Communities and Building Climate Resilience through Project LAWA at BINHI,” the event brought together members of the Provincial Technical Working Group, Local Chief Executives, and partner agencies. Also joining the ceremony was Mr. Jazzner Julian de Dios, Luzon Island Focal Person of the Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB), DSWD Central Office.
The Klimalasakit Award is conferred to partners who have shown steadfast commitment in the implementation of Project LAWA at BINHI (Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished), a project that empowers communities in addressing food and water scarcity.
This year’s awardees include:
Provinces: Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.
Local Government Units:
Agusan del Norte: Jabonga, Santiago, Las Nieves, Buenavista, Tubay
Agusan del Sur: Esperanza, Sibagat, Talacogon, Loreto, San Luis
Surigao del Norte: Mainit, Malimono, Tagana-an, Del Carmen, Gigaquit
Surigao del Sur: Barobo, Madrid, Lanuza, Bayabas, Hinatuan, Lingig
Province of Dinagat Islands: Basilisa, Cagdianao, Libjo, Tubajon
National Agencies: DENR Caraga, DOLE Caraga, BFAR Caraga, and DTI Caraga
To seal their commitment, the partners also signed the Pledge of Commitment Wall, symbolizing their united dedication to sustain climate-resilient initiatives and strengthen disaster response in the region.
In his message of gratitude, Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Jean Paul Parajes said:
“Mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Caraga, taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng tatanggap ng pagkilala ngayong araw. Ang inyong dedikasyon, sakripisyo, at malasakit ang nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa amin upang patuloy na pagbutihin ang ating mga programa at serbisyo. Ang inyong mga kwento ng pagtulong at pagkilos ay nagpapaalala sa ating lahat na ang tunay na lakas ng disaster response at climate action ay nagmumula sa bayanihan, sa pagkakaisa ng pamahalaan, mga organisasyon, at ng mismong komunidad.”
Closing the ceremony, Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) Tristan Telen left an inspiring message:
“As we close today’s ceremony, may we carry forward the spirit of Klimalasakit. Let us allow this recognition to be more than just awards on stage, but living commitments that will ripple out into real change, change that will be felt by families, children, and generations yet to come.”
Meanwhile, Director Maria Isabel Lanada, PhD, Director of the DRMB and Special Assistant to the Secretary for Special Projects, also joined the event virtually. She commended DSWD Field Office Caraga for its dedication to implementing the project and for being recognized as one of the top-performing field offices nationwide.
DSWD Field Office Caraga reaffirms its commitment to continue implementing programs and services such as Project LAWA at BINHI, ensuring that families and communities have sustained access to food and water, the most basic rights of every human being.
