City of San Fernando, La Union – “In every call of duty, it is already instilled in my heart to do my very best and consider it as my last chance in serving the public most especially the children.” This was the guiding principle of Ms. Arelie C. Jacildo, Nurse II of Department of Education, La Union Schools Division, one of the awardees during the 2015 Regional Gawad Kalasag and Banuar ti Amianan Joint Awarding Ceremony held at the Hotel Ariana, Bauang, La Union on December 4, 2015. Ms. Jacildo was conferred with the Selfless and Courageous Award.

She was commended for her untiring dedication and extraordinary support in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Region 1 most especially in providing medical assistance despite adversities of natural calamities. For 21 years, she remained loyal to DepEd and continuously touching the lives of poor school children and their families. Still in an interview with her, she shared her experiences of braving adversities during typhoons, walking thousands of kilometers just to reach the clients, and also when she got infected of German measles from one of her clients which affected her health. She said, despite of these obstacles, her passion on helping others did not ever recede but more so, she became more motivated to deliver the services expected of her.

Some of her piloted programs and projects under DepEd LU Division wherein she served as focal person and coordinator include National Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program, DepEd School-based Feeding program, Anti-Smoking Campaign, Essential Health Care Program, Community Outreach programs, Stress Debriefing after typhoons, Little Doctors Club and Lions Club’s Sight For the Kids Program.

DepEd Region I was also given a Plaque of Appreciation to recognize the unrelenting support and participation in DRRM programs and activities thereby contributing to the attainment of a Disaster-Resilient in Region I. Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio, Regional Director of DepEd Region I commended Ms. Jacildo for being an inspiration to all for her dedication, loyalty and hardwork.

RD Torio also makes certain that DepEd will continue to support and strengthen the DepEd DRRM Unit to safeguard the welfare of the public most especially the children. The Kalasag and Banuar Ti Amianan (Heroes of the North) awards are given by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Region I to individuals, non-government organizations, private sector and government organizations, in recognition of their initiative in helping the Filipino government uplift the standard of disaster management in the country.