The UP Resilience Institute YouthMappers (UPRIYM) has been selected as one of the recipients of the Gawad Pangulo para sa Natatanging Organisasyong Pangmag-aaral — the highest recognition conferred by the University of the Philippines to student organizations that embody honor and excellence in the service of the nation.
The award was presented last Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Atencio Libunao Hall in UP Diliman. UPRI YouthMappers was recognized alongside two other exemplary student organizations from UP Tacloban and UP Manila. The selection was made from a highly competitive pool of over 50 nominated organizations across the UP System.
The Gawad Pangulo para sa Natatanging Organisasyong Pangmag-aaral recognizes student-led initiatives that contribute meaningfully to UP’s mandate as a public service university. This award celebrates the impact of organizations that address real-world challenges through academic rigor, community engagement, and socially responsive action. As part of the recognition, UPRIYM received a handcrafted memento designed by Toym Imao, which reflected this year’s theme, “Ani at Alay”, the harvest of knowledge and service, and the offering of one’s skills and efforts for the nation.
Established in 2018 and housed under the UP Resilience Institute, UPRI YouthMappers has consistently championed youth-led, community-centered approaches in disaster resilience. Their flagship programs, such as BATAlert, which introduces disaster awareness to children through community-based educational modules, and PedalMap, which empowers biking communities with open data and community-led mapping, exemplify their commitment to inclusive and impactful work.
Beyond their local initiatives, they are active contributors to global humanitarian mapping efforts, supporting responses to earthquakes, typhoons, and public health crises through open and collaborative data using OpenStreetMap.
We thank the many partners, mentors, and communities who have made this journey possible, and most especially the students who continue to bring energy, compassion, and skill to this mission. This recognition is not just a milestone for our YouthMappers chapter, but a reflection of what’s possible when young people are empowered to lead in the service of the nation.
🎥 Watch their official video entry here. This short film captures the heart of UPRI YouthMappers’ journey — their projects, partners, and unwavering spirit of service.
On behalf of the UP Resilience Institute, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to UPRI YouthMappers. Your commitment reflects the values of honor, excellence, and service that define the University of the Philippines.