July 29, 2013, marked a milestone in the Casiguran History as taking part on an awareness and preparedness campaign for disasters surrounding water and water rescue in order to recognize the resources necessary to conduct safe and effective water rescue operations and identify the emergency response system for water rescue emergencies to prevent water –related accidents and disasters in escalating.

     It was spearheaded by MLGOO Ruth S. Babilonia, in coordination with LGU Casiguran thru MDRRMO Engr. Menrado T. Lapada, the Liga ng mga Barangay, and the Philippine Navy. The three day disaster preparedness course specifically on water survival and rescue training (July 29-31, 2014) was successfully conducted, participated by 15 personnel from PNP, 12 from DepEd, 15 LGU personnel and 3 representatives from the barangays. Topics undertaken were First Aid, Life Saving, Boat Handling, Knot Tying and Water Survival.

      The activity was successfully conducted with the relenting support of Mayor Ricardo A. Bitong.

   The Provincial Government of Aurora brings back the search for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality/Barangay/School this year. With DILG Aurora Provincial Director Renato G. Bernardino as the chairman of the Provincial Search Committee, the assessment team continues to search among the 8 municipalities, 151 barangays and more than a thousand schools all over the province. The first and final assessment first commenced during the 2nd week of June and will end at 15th of July 2014.

   Back in 1999, through Executive Order No. 113 of the Office of the President, there is the Annual Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran (Kaunlaran ng mga Pamahalaang Lokal sa Kalinisan at Kapaligiran Luntian). The Provincial Government of Aurora has localized the program since 2005 and changed the program title into Gawad Punong Lalawigan para sa Kapaligiran (GPLK). Last year, the GPLK was temporarily suspended due to lack of funds. With the support of Aurora Governor Hon. Gerardo Noveras, the program continues to be implemented this year.

   This program supports RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 wherein LGUs are assigned the responsibility of solid waste management to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program which shall ensure the protection of public health and environment.of DepEd, Geroldo R. Custodio of DENR, Melchito G. Romero of Provincial Health Office, Bryan Paul SJ. Omaña of the SP Office, Rommel C. Lombres of the Provincial Tourism Office, Frederick Olivar of the Provincial Information Office, and Siony B. Ranillo of the Noble Blue Falcons Inc., an NGO.

   Each category follows a specific set of guidelines and criteria to be assessed. Schools are assessed according to the following: 1. Compliance to prescribed requirements and conditions, 2. General appearance condition, and 3. Support system and innovative ideas. Whereas LGUs are assessed according to the physical conditions of build-up areas and support systems which encourages the community to be proactive and involved in the province’s goal of improving solid waste management.

   Local officials as well as school heads and students are interviewed during the assessment team. Reminders on proper waste segregation and disposal are given as the team finishes the assessment on each LGU/school.

   Awarding of the GPLK is expected to be on the 30th day of July 2014 in the Provincial Capitol Compound, Baler, Aurora.


   The Provincial Search Committee is represented by LGOO II Hannah Marie O. Agas for the DILG, Josephine G. Leander and Cristina W. Dela Cruz of ENRO, Myrna B. Adeva