MANILA, AUGUST 14, 2013 – TV5 program Rescue5 scooped the Best Private Organization prize at the 2013 Metropolitan Manila Regional Gawad KALASAG Awards, making TV5 the first broadcaster to win in this awards show.
Rescue5 is a news-based program that does more than simply deliver the news. It is a strong advocate in driving disaster preparedness in the country and the program actively participates in disaster response operations.
Its winning entry featured the program’s response during the habagat flooding in August 2012, typhoon Pedring and Quiel between September and October 2011, and the rescue of a Thai mountaineer during the Mayon volcano explosion in May 2013.
The show’s entry also featured a rescue book for kids as part of its advocacy to increase the country’s disaster preparedness. Rescue5 was also cited by CNN as the first broadcaster in the world and the Philippines to equip reporters and cameramen with emergency medical service and life-saving skills.
“News5’s mission is ‘Higit sa balita, Aksyon!’ We take that to heart through Rescue 5. As cause journalists, we are committed to deliver not just news and information, but real public service, especially in times of emergencies and disasters,” said TV5 public service head Sherryl Yao.
Launched in 1998, the Gawad Kalasag awards seeks to encourage the participation of various stakeholders in crafting and implementing disaster risk reduction and management programs since kalasag is Filipino for ‘shield’ and was used by early Filipinos to mean protection from enemy attacks.
The award qualifies Rescue 5 to compete in the National Gawad KALASAG awards scheduled for October.
