Manila, Philippines—International Data Corporation (IDC) Asia Pacific recently named the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Project NOAH as the Top Smart City Initiative in Public Safety at the Smart City Asia Pacific Awards (SCAPA) 2016.  The SCAPA recognizes the most outstanding smart city projects in the Asia Pacific, excluding Japan.

Project NOAH, the Philippine government’s flagship disaster management program, has empowered the Philippines with information such as real-time weather data and high-resolution flood, landslide, and storm surge hazard maps via online and social media platforms and mobile devices,” said Jubert Daniel Alberto, country head, IDC Philippines, in a statement.

He added, “It deserves the international recognition for the public safety initiative as its succeeds in transforming cities for the better through smart and sustainable technology.”

Gerald Wang, head, Asia Pacific Government and Education, said “The Smart City momentum is growing extensively in the Asia Pacific region as many nations see it as organic, bottom-up and middle-out innovation growth that will spearhead the next cycle of eGovernment evolutions. While at least 90% of all Asia Pacific local governments or smart cities’ growth leverage funds are provided by central or federal functions, many of them are notably given the autonomy to create their own unique identity in city governance, strategic operations, and provisioning of effective eServices.”

Founded in 1964, IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets in over 110 countries. It has more than 1,100 analysts worldwide.