COTABATO CITY — The City Government of Cotabato warmly welcomed the 25th Gawad KALASAG National Field Validators during their official visit to the city from November 5 to 7, 2025, held at the People’s Palace.

The visit aimed to evaluate and validate the city’s disaster preparedness, response mechanisms, and community resilience programs as part of the national search for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).

City officials, headed by Mayor Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Matabalao and Vice Mayor Sultan Johair Madag, together with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), welcomed the validation team and presented the city’s best practices, innovations, and accomplishments in DRRM.

In his message, Mayor Matabalao expressed his gratitude to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for recognizing Cotabato City’s continuous efforts to build a safer and more resilient community. He also commended the dedication of the CDRRMO, barangay officials, and volunteers for their unwavering service in safeguarding the lives and welfare of every Cotabateño.

The Gawad KALASAG Award – an acronym for Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan—is the country’s premier recognition for outstanding contributions in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance.

The validation visit marks another significant milestone for Cotabato City as it continues to strengthen its disaster resilience programs and uphold its commitment to effective and inclusive governance.