Ten exceptional women leaders received recognition in the Philippine Resilience Awards ceremony on Thursday, 12 October.

The recognition was organized by the Climate Change Commission in collaboration with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the Philippine Commission on Women, the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation, the National Resilience Council, ARISE Philippines, WIN DRR Philippines, and SM Prime Holdings, Incorporated.

The women, hailing from diverse backgrounds, have demonstrated their commitment to building climate and disaster-resilient communities.

Among the awardees are Quezon City Maria Josefina Belmonte for championing resilient food systems and sustainable livelihood through the City's Community-based Urban Farming Program; Climate Resilient Agriculture- Office of the Department of Agriculture Alicia Ilaga for her commitment to community-based resilience in vulnerable farming communities through the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture Program; Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral for championing critical infrastructure resilience in the implementation of DPWH infrastructure projects; Mariano Marcos State University President, Dr. Shirley Agrupis for her dedication to green technological innovations, including enhancing sustainable local bioethanol production using nipa sap; Base Bahay Foundation, Inc. President Maria Vicente Jalandoni for her efforts in promoting sustainable, resilient, and ecological housing through Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology.

Other awardees are Cagayan State University President Dr. Urduja Alvarado for her community-based resilience initiatives, focusing on ecological development and empowerment of mangrove communities in Gonzaga, Cagayan; Bukidnon State University President, Dr. Joy Mirasol, for championing bio-cultural diversity conservation and resilience through the strengthened and empowered management of Mindanao Protected Areas; Nida Collado, a farmer and President of the Macatumbalen Community Based Forest and Coastal Management Association, was also recognized for her leadership in community-based sustainable forest management and environmental conservation in San Vicente, Palawan.

Also awarded are St. Paul's Hospital of Iloilo, Inc. administrator Sr. Arcelita Sarnillo, for realizing the link between human health and environmental conditions, championing green, sustainable, and climate-resilient healthcare through the Green and Healthy Hospital Program; and Joroan Farmers and Fisherfolks Association President, Mila Bogñabal, for her efforts in promoting resilient food systems and sustainable livelihood in Joroan Tiwi, Albay, through the implementation of climate-resilient agricultural practices.