The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has received the Stakeholder Engagement of the Year Award for Environment at the recent GovMedia Awards 2025 in Singapore for its Project TRANSFORM.
The award highlights the importance of science-based, community-driven collaboration in boosting climate resilience and improving people’s lives.
The GovMedia Conference & Awards recognizes outstanding innovations, emerging trends, and best practices in public sector governance across the Asia Pacific region. Awards are distributed on a country-level basis, with one winner chosen for each of the 23 categories.
Project TRANSFORM, which stands for “Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multi-Stakeholder Engagement,” was honored at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2025, at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center.
A flagship DENR program, Project TRANSFORM aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for a whole-of-society approach to disaster and climate resilience through inclusive and sustainable ecosystems.
DENR Undersecretary Marilou Erni, who leads Project TRANSFORM, cited the initiative’s broader impact. “Project TRANSFORM is more than a program – it is a paradigm shift. It shows that resilience begins with partnership, thrives through science, and grows through community action.” She added that the program actively involves both public and private sectors to ensure sustainable climate investments that directly benefit communities.
Launched in 2023 after extensive multi-stakeholder consultations, Project TRANSFORM addresses environmental challenges at the community level.
Its lead implementing partners include the Department of Interior and Local Government, the National Resilience Council, First Philippine Holdings, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Peace and Equity Foundation and Zuellig Family Foundation.
The initiative has been implemented in Bataan, Rizal, Ormoc City in Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo City and the National Capital Region.
These projects focus on enhancing disaster preparedness and building local capacities. To date, the program has engaged 24 local government units (LGUs) nationwide, fostering cross-sector partnerships for sustainable ecosystems and disaster-resilient communities.
Erni accepted the award on behalf of the DENR during the June 19 ceremony. In her acceptance speech, she thanked the project’s lead implementing partners from the business sector, academe, civil society, non-government organizations, and the women’s and youth sectors.
