This August 12, 2009, Dagupan City was awarded the national-level Kalasag Award for disaster preparedness.  The award was presented by the President of the Republic of the Philippines on behalf of the National Disaster Coordinating Council and Department of the Interior and Local Government. The citation reads:
 

In recognition of its people-driven local governance, providing vast opportunities for a well-prepared and people-empowered community.

Dagupan City's nationally and internally-funded disaster mitigation projects anchored on the local socio-economic development efforts and plans are testaments of an exemplary leadership of the local government.

These commendable efforts earned them not only this recognition but also the greater unquantifiable benefit of providing security and peace of mind for their people that Dagupan City is and will always be a community that is resilient and safe from disasters."

Link to press release here.