Global technology giant Google has chosen an innovative environmental program jointly implemented by South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces as one of the Top 9 Best Google Stories worldwide for this year.
Louie Pacardo, project officer for South Cotabato of the Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA), said Thursday the initiative was specifically selected as one of the best stories for business and organizations.
He said they earlier submitted to Google various programs initiated by AVLADA and how they were enhanced using technologies developed and introduced by the company.
These programs focused on the joint interventions of the provinces in addressing the recurring flooding problems in the area, he said.
Pacardo is an active member of Google Business Group (GBG) chapter here, which is considered as one of the most active GBGs in the world.
Google Stories which is now on its second year aims to document stories of organizations worldwide with impact to people, communities and environment using Google programs in their works.
Joining AVLDA in the Top 9 Best Stories are entries coming from Mexico, Nepal, India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
In late October, a team from Google visited South Cotabato province for the production of a documentary on AVLADA.
Pacardo said the company commissioned a production company based in Germany and a New York-based consultant for the project.
Among those interviewed for the documentary was South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance- Fuentes, who chairs the AVLADA, he said.
He said the governor discussed the relevance of AVLDA as an alliance of two local government units in addressing various problems across boundaries.
Pacardo said the entries will posted online by Google and will be open for online voting worldwide.
The top three entries will eventually be presented in an event that will be held in Mountain View, California.
AVLADA is a local government-led environmental body that oversees the management and protection of the Allah Valley landscape, specifically the critical Allah River and its watershed areas.
The alliance, which is a recipient of the Galing Pook Award in 2009, comprises 11 local governments in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat that are traversed by the Allah River. (PNA)
