FOURTEEN local government units (LGUs) received recognition during the first-ever Digital Democracy Awards held Friday night in a ceremony organized by the Makati Business Club (MBC) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) Philippines.
The awards recognize LGUs that have demonstrated strong leadership and innovative initiatives to foster greater citizen participation through digital means.
Launched in August 2024, the event aims to spotlight LGUs that have successfully integrated digital tools and platforms to engage with their communities, facilitate transparent governance, and promote inclusive decision-making.
The awardees were recognized for their exceptional contributions across six categories: Leadership, People’s Participation, Citizen-Led Policy, Outstanding Public Communication, Data Stewardship, and Digital Trailblazing.
Batangas City got the Leadership Award for its exemplary leadership in driving a digital democracy initiative, inspiring collaboration and community engagement.
Quezon City won the People’s Participation Award for effectively involving citizens in policy discussions and ensuring a high quality of engagement on various local issues.
Citizen-Led Policy Award was given to Naga City for successfully incorporating citizen feedback into policy-making, resulting in tangible changes such as ordinances and budget allocations directly addressing community concerns.
Tagbilaran City was awarded the Outstanding Public Communication Award for its excellence in public communication, ensuring that citizens not only understood the issues at hand but were also actively involved in decision-making processes.
The Makati Business Club and USAID Philippines, together with the international political think tank foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, recognize LGUs that have implemented DIgital Democracy in an awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Nov. 15, 2024. The DIgital Democracy project aims to promote transparency and efficiency in government services that contribute to the economic growth of the country. Present during the ceremony were Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, Information and Communications Undersecretary Jocelee Batapa-Sigue, and MBC Executive Director Bobby Batungbacal. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
The Makati Business Club and USAID Philippines, together with the international political think tank foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, recognize LGUs that have implemented DIgital Democracy in an awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Nov. 15, 2024. The DIgital Democracy project aims to promote transparency and efficiency in government services that contribute to the economic growth of the country. Present during the ceremony were Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, Information and Communications Undersecretary Jocelee Batapa-Sigue, and MBC Executive Director Bobby Batungbacal. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
The Makati Business Club and USAID Philippines, together with the international political think tank foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, recognize LGUs that have implemented DIgital Democracy in an awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Nov. 15, 2024. The DIgital Democracy project aims to promote transparency and efficiency in government services that contribute to the economic growth of the country. Present during the ceremony were Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, Information and Communications Undersecretary Jocelee Batapa-Sigue, and MBC Executive Director Bobby Batungbacal. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
The Makati Business Club and USAID Philippines, together with the international political think tank foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, recognize LGUs that have implemented DIgital Democracy in an awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Nov. 15, 2024. The DIgital Democracy project aims to promote transparency and efficiency in government services that contribute to the economic growth of the country. Present during the ceremony were Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, Information and Communications Undersecretary Jocelee Batapa-Sigue, and MBC Executive Director Bobby Batungbacal. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
The Makati Business Club and USAID Philippines, together with the international political think tank foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, recognize LGUs that have implemented DIgital Democracy in an awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Nov. 15, 2024. The DIgital Democracy project aims to promote transparency and efficiency in government services that contribute to the economic growth of the country. Present during the ceremony were Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, Information and Communications Undersecretary Jocelee Batapa-Sigue, and MBC Executive Director Bobby Batungbacal. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
The Makati Business Club and USAID Philippines, together with the international political think tank foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, recognize LGUs that have implemented DIgital Democracy in an awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Nov. 15, 2024. The DIgital Democracy project aims to promote transparency and efficiency in government services that contribute to the economic growth of the country. Present during the ceremony were Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, Information and Communications Undersecretary Jocelee Batapa-Sigue, and MBC Executive Director Bobby Batungbacal. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
The Makati Business Club and USAID Philippines, together with the international political think tank foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, recognize LGUs that have implemented DIgital Democracy in an awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Nov. 15, 2024. The DIgital Democracy project aims to promote transparency and efficiency in government services that contribute to the economic growth of the country. Present during the ceremony were Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, Information and Communications Undersecretary Jocelee Batapa-Sigue, and MBC Executive Director Bobby Batungbacal. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
Data Stewardship Award went to Muntinlupa City for its commitment to safeguarding personal data and responsibly managing information collected from residents during digital democracy initiatives.
The Digital Trailblazer Award was given to Isabela City in Basilan for its innovative use of information and communication technology (ICT) to overcome geographical and logistical challenges in connecting with local communities.
In addition to the special recognition awards, eight other LGUs were named Digital Democracy Champions. These include the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Himamaylan, Iligan, Masbate, San Fernando City (La Union), Tagum, Victorias and Zamboanga.
During the ceremony, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla delivered the keynote address, commending the awardees for their strides in advancing digital governance.
“I come here tonight to congratulate all of you for the digital democracy awards. The awards tonight have made immense strides in the field of digital governance,” Remulla remarked. “Today is about hope, today is about conquering cynicism, today is about recognizing those who do best. These awardees exemplify hope, and I hope that today inspires other local leaders to focus on the country, not just on themselves.”
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