BAGUIO CITY – Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu joined forces with local officials, including Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, to unveil the ASEAN Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund (AASCTF) Sadjap Water Level Monitoring Station Plaque.
The ceremony, held on November 17 at Km. 3, Barangay Sadjap, in La Trinidad, Benguet, marked a pivotal moment in the implementation of the Baguio City Smart Flood Warning, Information, and Mitigation System Project.
Neeta Pokhrel from the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Pacific and Southeast Asia Team highlighted that the station is a crucial component of the ongoing AASCTF-driven project, aimed at crafting a smart and inclusive flood early warning system (FEWS).
The initiative seeks to fortify Baguio City’s disaster preparedness and resilience in the face of climate change-induced hazards.
Pokhrel, in a letter dated November 13, 2023, addressed to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, outlined the project’s goals and emphasized the collaborative efforts involving the Australian government’s support, ADB’s management, and Ramboll’s implementation in partnership with the city government of Baguio.
During the unveiling ceremony, Ambassador Yu reaffirmed her government’s unwavering support for the project, stressing the significance of sustained collaboration to reinforce the city’s disaster preparedness and resilience.
Vice Mayor Olowan echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the project represents not only technological progress but also a testament to the achievements attainable through a comprehensive vision and collaborative endeavors.
“The success of this pilot project implementation underscores the importance of collaboration and cooperation between all stakeholders involved and emphasizes the shared responsibility we all hold toward building a resilient future for Baguio City,” Olowan emphasized.
Following the unveiling, Ambassador Yu, accompanied by the Acting City Mayor and other officials, visited the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
There, she was briefed on the Baguio FEWS project and given a comprehensive tour of the Smart City Command Center (SC3) situated in the Center’s basement.
The event showcased the commitment of both local and international stakeholders to leverage innovation and cooperation in fortifying Baguio City’s readiness against natural calamities, marking a significant stride toward a more resilient future.
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