Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released PHP1 billion to the University of the Philippines (UP) System to boost Project NOAH's AI-powered flood forecasting, real-time hazard monitoring, and disaster prevention capabilities, giving the government better tools to act before calamities strike.
According to Philippines News Agency, the funding reinforcement aligns with Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to shift disaster management from reactive relief efforts to proactive, science- and data-driven risk assessment. DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert De Leon emphasized the importance of preemptive action, stating, 'Hindi natin kailangang hintayin na tumaas ang tubig bago tayo kumilos (We do not need to wait for the floodwaters to rise before we take action).' The focus is on identifying potential dangers, assessing those at risk, and determining necessary actions before disasters occur.
The PHP1-billion investment is sourced from the UP System's built-in allocation in the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act. Of the total, PHP935 million will be directed to research services, while PHP65 million is allocated for general management and supervision of the program. The funds will support the acquisition and deployment of information and communications technology, digital, technical, and scientific equipment, the hiring of specialized technical personnel, and the establishment of operational support systems.
Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), managed by the UP Resilience Institute, leverages AI-enhanced modeling, Light Detection and Ranging mapping, and data analytics to provide real-time hazard assessments and predictive flood scenarios. These tools are designed to assist national and local government units in making informed decisions before and during emergencies.
De Leon stressed that investing in disaster prevention protects public infrastructure and resources from costly damages caused by heavy rains and typhoons. He highlighted that effective disaster management involves preventing disasters from escalating into catastrophes. Every peso invested in better forecasting and preparedness contributes to saving lives, protecting livelihoods, and avoiding significant losses.
'We cannot stop typhoons or heavy rains from coming, but with the right information at the right time, we can reduce their impact. That is what we want public funds to deliver, not simply resources after a disaster, but greater protection before it happens,' De Leon stated.
Previously, the DBM collaborated with UP NOAH to integrate disaster risk reduction strategies into its Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation (Project DIME) initiative, assessing the vulnerability of government infrastructure projects to natural hazards.
