Held on June 19 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the regional awards ceremony honored outstanding public sector innovations across the Asia Pacific region. Project TRANSFORM — short for Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multi-Stakeholder Engagement — stood out for its science-based, community-driven approach to climate resilience.
A paradigm shift
“Project TRANSFORM is more than a program — it is a paradigm shift,” said DENR Undersecretary Marilou Erni, who received the award on behalf of the agency. “It shows that resilience begins with partnership, thrives through science, and grows through community action.”
Launched in 2023, the initiative exemplifies President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for a whole-of-society approach to disaster and climate resilience. It integrates government, business, civil society, and academic efforts to tackle climate and environmental risks at the grassroots level.
Project TRANSFORM is implemented in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Resilience Council, First Philippine Holdings, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Peace and Equity Foundation, and Zuellig Family Foundation.
Multisectoral collaboration
The initiative has been rolled out in six key areas across the Philippines — Bataan Province, Rizal Province, Ormoc City, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo City, and the National Capital Region. In these locations, the program has engaged 24 local government units to build disaster resilience and support sustainable ecosystems through joint projects and capacity-building efforts.
In her acceptance speech, Erni thanked a wide range of contributors, including NGOs, the academe, and women and youth sectors, acknowledging their role in shaping a truly inclusive and collaborative climate strategy.
Growing recognition
The GovMedia Awards recognize one winner per category across 23 governance-related fields. This year’s judging panel included senior advisors from KPMG, PwC Singapore, and EY.
The recognition in Singapore adds to Project TRANSFORM’s growing list of accolades. Earlier this year, it received the 60th Gold Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, cementing its reputation as a model for multi-stakeholder collaboration in climate governance. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
