ILOILO CITY: Iloilo City has been honored with the 'Beyond Compliant' Seal of the Gawad KALASAG, a prestigious award from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). This recognition is given for excellence in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian programs. According to Philippines News Agency, the award was celebrated as a collective achievement involving the city's resilient partners. Iloilo City DRRM officer Donna Magno explained that the 'Beyond Compliant' distinction is awarded to local governments scoring between 2.5 and 3 in rigorous evaluations, indicating innovations beyond basic compliance. "There are different means of verification (MOVs) that you have to comply with. Based on the rating scale, if your score is between 2.5 to 3, then you are in the category of beyond compliant. You exceeded the criteria set by the NDRRMC," she stated. Other recipients of the Beyond Compliant Seal in the Western Visayas region include the provinces of Antique and Negros Occidental and the towns of Malay in Aklan; San Jose de Buenavista in Antique; Dumarao, Panit-an, and Dumalag in Capiz; Pavia, Passi City, and Mina in Iloilo; and Bago City in Negros Occidental. During the ceremony held in Iloilo City, Civil Defense Regional Director Raul Fernandez emphasized the program's focus on preparedness, unity, and innovation. He urged local governments to address the evolving disaster risks driven by climate change and urbanization, calling for strengthened partnerships and sustained community engagement. The event also acknowledged 77 fully compliant provincial and local government units, underlining the region's dedication to disaster resilience. Fernandez noted, "The Gawad Kalasag Awards is more than just a recognition program. It is a platform to celebrate the triumph of preparedness over uncertainty, unity over adversity, and innovation over complacency."