Quezon City among Galing Pook awardees for 2023

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City’s innovative disaster risk reduction and management project was among this year’s recipients of Galing Pook Award, which recognizes best practices and programs of local government units nationwide.

Mayor Joy Belmonte received the award last Thursday in behalf of the city government, which was recognized for its Intelligent, Resilient and Integrated Systems for the Urban Population or iRISE UP initiative.

The project, which seeks to help communities address the impacts of climate change and manage disaster risks, was among the 10 local government initiatives that received the Galing Pook Award.

“This prestigious award is proof that we are going in the right direction and that people really benefit (from what we are doing),” Belmonte said in Filipino.

“I congratulate all of the local government units and their innovative programs that were recognized in the 2023 Galing Pook Awards. May you serve as an inspiration to our fellow public servants. I hope that all of us will be open to teaching and collaborating on our best practices with other local governments as well,” she added.

According to the city government, the iRISE UP project provides “multihazard impact-based monitoring, forecasting and early warning systems” to communities, especially the barangays.

It consolidates latest technology with various datasets to provide users of the mobile and web app with up-to-date risk information, such as early warnings and threat indicators.

Other recipients of this year’s Galing Pook Award include Makati, Pasig City, Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte, Davao Oriental, General Santos City, Iloilo, Bayawan City in Negros Oriental, Bataan and Barangay Taloot in Argao, Cebu.

Quezon City’s Birth Registration Online project was also among those shortlisted for the award.