Batac City and La Union win regional poster-making and essay-writing contests

The School Divisions of Batac City and La Union won the First (1st) Place on the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) 2017 Poster-Making and Essay Writing Contests respectively, held on July 5, 2017 at the Puerto de San Juan Beach Resort, Brgy. Ili Sur, San Juan, La Union.

The Office of Civil Defense Region 1 (OCD R1) in partnership with the Department of Education Region 1 (DepEd R1), organized the activities as part of the NDRM observance.

12 out of 14 schools divisions in Region 1 participated in the contests.

The poster-making was intended for elementary pupils from Grades 1-6 while the essay-writing was conducted for high school students from Grades 7-10.

The composition of the panel of judges for the poster-making was DepEd R1, OCD R1, Philippine Information Agency Region 1 (PIA R1), Department of Science and Technology Region 1, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 1.

The essay-writing on the other hand was judged by representatives from DepEd R1, OCD R1, PIA R1, Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1, and National Economic Development Authority Region 1.
DepEd R1 served as the panel chair for both categories.

The contest started in the morning followed by a basic orientation on community and family preparedness in the afternoon.
Mr. Freddie C. Evangelista of OCD R1 Capacity Building and Training Section, discussed the basic concepts and preparedness tips for the children and guests present.

After the adjudication and tabulation of results, winners were announced and awarded by the judges.

Winners of the Poster-Making Contest were as follow: Shane Allyza G. Galleon of Petra Q. Pimentel Elementary School, Batac City, Ilocos Norte for the 1st Place; Jennylyn M. Cariaga of Lasanicolasan Elementary School, Rosales, Pangasinan for the 2nd Place; and Dreyzen P. Ganotisi of Golgol Elementary School, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte for the 3rd Place.

For the Essay-Writing Contest, winners were: Michelle Anne R. Orodio of Castor Z. Concepcion Memorial National High School, Balaoan, La Union for the 1st Place; Alvia M. Poquiz of Turac National High School, Basista, Pangasinan for the 2nd Place; and Grace Anne Aquino of Bayambang National High School, Bayambang, Pangasinan as 2nd Place.

The winners received plaques and cash prizes while consolation prizes were given to all those who participated.

As per guideline from the OCD Public Affairs Office, all programs and activities in relation to NDRM this year were aligned from the national down to the regional level.

Entries of the 1st place winners for each category will then be sent to the OCD Central Office not later than July 13, 2017 to compete for the national.

The national awarding will be on July 31, 2017 during the National Closing Ceremony for NDCM 2017.
The contests were means to encourage youth participation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) programs and activities.