BY GLORIA LEODIVICA INES ARANETA
Barangay Taloto was named the 2026 Best in DRRM Action (BiDA) Barangay Champion during the culmination of National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) on July 31, 2026.
The awarding was held at the Tagbilaran City Hall Atrium.
For winning, the barangay received ₱1.5 million worth of development projects from the Office of Congressman John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II.
The BiDA Barangay Awards served as the centerpiece of the city’s month-long disaster resilience observance.
It recognized barangays that showed outstanding performance in disaster preparedness, emergency response, community resilience, and risk reduction initiatives.
Barangay Ubujan was named 1st Runner-Up and received ₱1 million worth of projects.
Barangay Mansasa placed 2nd Runner-Up and was awarded ₱500,000 worth of projects.
The winning barangays also received cash prizes and plaques of recognition.
Aside from the BiDA recognition, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) honored members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), Catholic Relief Services, and various partner organizations that supported the city’s NDRM activities.
A special Plaque of Recognition was awarded to the Alturas Group of Companies for its active participation in corporate disaster preparedness initiatives.
The program also highlighted the creativity and disaster awareness of local students through the Digital Art Contest and Video-making Contest.
The contests encouraged participants to promote disaster preparedness and resilience through visual and multimedia storytelling.
In the Digital Art Contest, Tagbilaran City Science High School won first place.
Cogon National High School placed second and Mansasa National High School placed third.
Tagbilaran City Science High School also emerged as champion in the Video-making Contest.
Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School placed second and Mansasa National High School secured third place.
To strengthen emergency preparedness in schools and communities, participating schools received First Aid backpacks equipped with emergency response tools.
The backpacks included a blood pressure apparatus, stethoscope, and ambu bag.
In addition, all 15 barangays of Tagbilaran City were provided with similar First Aid backpacks to enhance their local emergency response capabilities.
The culmination ceremony was attended by First District Congressman John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II and Mayor Jane Yap.
Mayor Yap, in her speech, said the achievements of the BiDA winners demonstrate the value of investing in preparedness at the community level.
“The success of our BiDA barangays shows that disaster resilience begins in our communities.
Through preparation, coordination, and active citizen participation, we can build safer and stronger barangays that are ready to respond to emergencies and protect our people,” Mayor Yap said.
The 2026 National Disaster Resilience Month observance carried the theme “Naghahanda at Kumikilos Tungo sa Panatag na Bagong Pilipinas.”