THE Landscape Department of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has emerged as the winner of the Gender Responsive Participatory Budgeting (GRPB) Champion Award 2019.
Besides the winner’s trophy, it pocketed the top prize of RM7,000 for its achievement in the upgrading of Sungai Ara linear park project.
A total of 10 teams took part in the competition.
The MBPP Heritage Conservation Department captured the second, third and fourth spots to win RM2,000, RM1,000 and RM500 respectively as well as a trophy for each win.
It took second placing for coming up with a plan to upgrade the backlane connecting Lebuh Ah Quee, Lebuh Armenian and Lorong Pitt.
The third prize was for its plan to upgrade the backlane connecting Lebuh Gereja and Lebuh Penang while the fourth prize was for its plan to upgrade the backlane connecting Lebuh Kimberly and Jalan Kuala Kangsar.
Landscape Department took the fifth spot and RM500 prize money for upgrading Taman Lapang Solok Bukit Jambul 2.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the council was committed to implementing GRPB since 2012.
He said many projects had been carried out using GRPB’s approach, emphasising the importance of gender when implementing any projects.
“For instance, the public toilet in Miami Beach had received complaints from the public over the old and dilapidated design and condition. Since then, MBPP had proposed to upgrade the toilet using GRPB’s approach and the upgrading works conducted in accordance with the people’s feedback.
“Hence, the public toilet has since received the Asean Public Toilet Standard’s recognition.
“The People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Jalan Sungai also received a great transformation to become a liveable neighbourhood.
“Besides that, MBPP is also concerned about the women’s needs. Certain places in the government and private premises, including shopping malls are also equipped with breastfeeding rooms
“I would like to express my gratitude as this GRPB Champion Award is successfully carried out,” he said in his speech at the award ceremony at Jen Hotel today.
State Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Religions Other Than Islam Committee chairman Chong Eng, who was present, congratulated the 10 finalists.
She said the 10 finalists had done their best in reaching the level.
“I believe MBPP is able to play a pivotal role in institutionalising GRPB,” she said.
Also present were MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali, Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, a member of PWDC board of directors Datuk Rohana Abdul Ghani and MBPP councillors.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad