[Top photo: Courtesy of WeGO] Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong joined Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, WeGO Secretary-General Kim Jeong-kee, WeGO representatives and prize winners for a commemorative photo at the 2nd Seoul Smart City Awards ceremony held at COEX, Seoul on 10 October 2024. [Below photo: Courtesy of Baguio City PIO] Mayor Magalong receives from Seoul Mayor Oh the trophy and certification representing the Gold Award on Human-CentriCity at the 2nd Seoul Smart City Prize.
Baguio City earned the Human-CentriCity Gold Award for its commitment to digital inclusion, particularly through its Leadership, Empowerment, and Advocacy for Inclusive and Accessible Health Governance System. The city's healthcare system faces issues like fragmented records, inefficiencies, and care gaps, leading to higher costs and delays. BIAG project addresses these issues by providing accessible health records, telemedicine, and equitable healthcare access. It connects hospitals for seamless care with comprehensive medical records from birth to death. BIAG aims to transform healthcare in Baguio City and beyond, ensuring efficient, inclusive, and high-quality care for all.
Iligan City was also recognized and given the GGGI's Special Mention award for its outstanding contributions to sustainable urban growth.
The Seoul Smart City Prize was organized by the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) to recognize outstanding smart city initiatives that prioritize human-centric and technological innovation. During the ceremony WeGO acknowledged 21 cities, corporations, institutions, and individuals across several categories for their exceptional contributions to smart urban development.
The Philippine Embassy continues to support WeGO programs by encouraging more active LGU participation in WeGO activities, especially its capacity-building and training initiatives. This is in line with the Embassy's advocacy for the importance of sub-national diplomacy, particularly domestically-focused and action-oriented initiatives and solutions on climate change, sustainable development, smart city goals, and good governance. END