Iloilo City wins fourth Galing Pook Award for innovative Disaster Resilience Program
Iloilo City has once again earned national recognition for excellence in local governance, securing its fourth Galing Pook Award for the Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICARE) Center: Decentralizing Risk Governance program.
The prestigious award was conferred during the Galing Pook awarding ceremony held on October 21 at Malacañang Palace, where President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cited the initiative as a model of effective disaster preparedness and emergency response.
Describing the program, the President said, “Iloilo City — pinahuhusay ang kahandaan sa sakuna at pinabibilis ang pagtugon sa oras ng panganib,” highlighting its role in strengthening community readiness and accelerating emergency response during times of disaster.
The ICARE initiative has transformed Iloilo City’s public safety framework through the establishment of strategic district-level response hubs. By decentralizing emergency services and disaster preparedness efforts, the city has enabled faster, more accessible, and community-centered risk management for residents across its districts.
Mayor Raisa Treñas welcomed the recognition, emphasizing that the award reflects the collective effort of government agencies, private sector partners, and community stakeholders.
“We are proud to receive the Galing Pook Award, one of the country’s most coveted honors for excellence in local governance,” Mayor Treñas said.
She dedicated the recognition to the people of Iloilo City, stressing that the true measure of success lies beyond awards and accolades.
“This award belongs to the Ilonggos. But more than the recognition, what matters most is that our people receive faster emergency assistance and are better prepared when disasters happen,” she added.
In a statement posted on the Galing Pook Foundation’s Facebook page, the mayor noted that the achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished through collaboration.
“It shows what we can achieve when government, the private sector, and our communities work together to ensure that no Ilonggo is left behind. We are grateful to Galing Pook for recognizing this innovation and its potential to inspire other local governments,” she said.
The latest honor further strengthens Iloilo City’s reputation as a leader in innovative governance and public service. It marks the city’s fourth Galing Pook Award, following previous wins for the Dinagyang Festival in 2012, the Iloilo-Batiano River Development Project in 2018, and the I-BIKE Program in 2022.
Mayor Treñas also extended her gratitude to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), ICARE personnel, the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials, volunteers, private sector partners, and other stakeholders whose dedication contributed to the program’s success.
She assured residents that the city government will continue strengthening the ICARE Centers through investments in modern facilities, upgraded equipment, specialized training, and enhanced inter-agency coordination to ensure the safety and well-being of every Ilonggo.
“Because for me, every second counts and every Ilonggo matters,” Mayor Treñas said.
Beyond being a recognition of innovation, the award underscores Iloilo City’s continuing commitment to building a safer, more resilient, and future-ready community. For city officials, the distinction belongs to every Ilonggo who contributes to strengthening disaster preparedness and creating a sustainable, responsive, and inclusive city for all.
