DILG-8 bares
Yolanda Heroism Award
By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
July 12, 2014
TACLOBAN CITY – Do
you have a personal story to tell of witnessing or benefitting from
the heroism or bravery of people during Super Typhoon Yolanda and its
immediate aftermath? If so, now is the chance to let the world know,
through the Yolanda Heroism Award of the Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG) Region 8.
The award, which seeks to
recognize people who risked their lives in the service of the
community during the brunt of Super Typhoon Yolanda and to glorify
exemplars of the virtues of courage, selflessness, gallantry, bravery
worthy of emulation, will be conferred by DILG-8 in time for the first
anniversary of the typhoon on November 8, 2014.
Nominations, which shall be
for two categories: Acts of Valor and Acts of a Good Samaritan, is
already open and will last until the end of July, said DILG-8 Regional
Director Pedro A. Noval Jr., who conceptualized the award. Winners
will receive both plaques of citations and a soon-to-be-determined
cash reward.
“In many ways, the storm,
which was the strongest ever to hit land, tested the resolve and
character of the people. The award is thus a fitting tribute to the
individuals who performed extreme acts of selflessness and sacrifice
during and after Yolanda,” said Dir. Noval.
According to the guidelines,
DILG Regional Memo Circular 2014-02, a “Hero” who must be present in a
severely affected Barangay, Municipality or City during the Super
Typhoon Yolanda, may be nominated several times by multiple people. To
be eligible for selection for the Yolanda Heroism Award, a nominated
Hero must either be a private, local or government official(s) and
employee(s) who meet either of the categories.
Acts of Valor. The
recognition is given where the evidence presented shows that he or she
saved human life at extreme risk to self. “Extreme risk” shall mean of
greatest severity to one’s self or even at the cost of his/her life.
The nominator will give consideration to resourcefulness and heroism
demonstrated during the rescue operation.
A major point to consider in
this category is the number of lives saved from the water surge,
debris, and raging wind during super typhoon. This award may be
conferred posthumously, in behalf of the deceased nominee, to his/her
legal heir or nearest kin.
Acts of a Good Samaritan.
The award recognizes notable acts of service that need not involve
attempts of rescue or risk to self but has shown/performed extreme
acts of selflessness and sacrifice. The individual has performed an
act of service of rare or exceptional character that reflects an
uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.
The acts may include
emergency relief/assistance such as, first- aid, food, clothing,
temporary shelter, and such other acts that may lessen the impact of
the disaster to the victim right after the typhoon. The length of time
or number of hours/days of service may vary according to the need for
help.
The major point to consider
here is the number of individuals or families who were accorded help
and their general condition, stated the DILG Regional Director.
The Regional Selection
Committee shall be led by the DILG-8 Regional Director, with a civil
society organization partner from the religious sector as Vice Chair.
The rest of the panel will be composed of the Regional Directors of
DOH, DSWD, DEPED, and a media representative. A similar setup will be
followed at the provincial level, said Dir. Noval.
Nomination Process
A nominator must be at least
18 years old who has a personal/actual knowledge/account of the
incident, an eyewitness or a rescued/assisted victim. All Nominations
shall be forwarded to the local government unit(LGU) concerned duly
noted by the LCE and shall then be recommended by the Parish Priest
for submission to the Provincial Screening Committee (PSC).
According to Dir. Noval, a
nominator may only nominate one Hero and there shall be no
self-nominations. Nominations must be submitted on behalf of another
person who is not a member of the nominee’s immediate family. The
nominator must provide the contact information, including email
address and telephone number (whenever available) for the nominated
Hero. The nominator must have been physically present in the Yolanda
affected LGU during the Typhoon.
The nominator bears the
responsibility to write a summary of the event and complete the
application in detail that pertains to the case (Please refer to the
basic factors to highlight in the nomination write-up), using the
prescribed YHA Nomination Form-01 with attached supporting documents,
such as: Rescued/Assisted Person’s Statement; Eyewitness Statement;
with accompanying photos or video, if any. Likewise the nominator must
submit nominations either in English or in the local language.
Nominators are asked to tell
the story about the incident or the nominee in an inspirational,
compelling manner that can in turn be told to the community.
“Make sure to give details
about how your Hero has dedicated his/her life during the Super
Typhoon Yolanda so as to inspire other people,“ said Dir. Noval. They
are also asked to include as much facts and supportive data as
possible, including how many people their Hero has impacted or how
many hours of service they have committed.
For details and copies of
the nomination forms, interested parties may visit the concerned DILG
municipal or city office or the DILG Regional Office at Kanhuraw Hill,
Tacloban City with tel. no. 321-2060 or 832-0894.
Download Guidelines and Nomination Form here