Seoul, Republic of Korea – The cities of Manila and Quezon City received international recognition for their innovative approaches to disaster resilience, environmental sustainability, and inclusive urban development at the 2026 Seoul Smart City Prize, held at COEX, Seoul. 

The City of Manila received the Silver Award in the Tech-InnovaCity category for its initiative to strengthen disaster risk reduction and urban governance. By integrating hazard data into a unified geospatial system, the city enables more precise barangay-level risk assessments, supporting informed decision-making and more resilient communities. Atty. Eduardo "Wardee" Quintos XIV, City of Manila Administrator, received the award on behalf of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Damagoso. 

Quezon City received the Silver Award in the Human-Centricity category for its innovative waste management program, which enables residents to exchange segregated recyclable materials for Environmental Points redeemable for food, essential goods, and utilities. The initiative demonstrates how environmental sustainability can deliver tangible benefits to households while encouraging community participation.

Representatives from Baguio City also joined the Philippine delegation at the event, highlighting the growing engagement of Philippine local governments in international exchanges on smart and sustainable urban development.

The Philippine Embassy in the Republic of Korea, led by Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez, supported the participation of the three Philippine cities, reaffirming the importance of international partnerships and knowledge-sharing in advancing local urban innovation.

Now in its fourth edition, the Seoul Smart City Prize is organized by the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The annual awards recognize cities and initiatives worldwide that harness technology, innovation, and people-centered solutions to build smarter, more inclusive, and sustainable communities. END