PH gov't sets aside P1 billion for AI-powered flood forecasting

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.

In a news release on Monday, the DBM said 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.

“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 goal is to know where the danger is, who is at risk, and what needs to be done before disaster strikes,” DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert De Leon said.

“This P1-billion investment in Project NOAH is an investment in prevention. We are putting science, AI, and real-time hazard information to work so government can act earlier, communities can prepare better, and more Filipino lives and livelihoods can be protected,” he added.

Sourceable under the UP System's built-in allocation in the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act, the PHP935 million will be directed to research services, while PHP65 million is allotted for general management and supervision of the program.

The fund will cover acquiring and deploying information and communications technology, digital, technical, and scientific gear; hiring specialized technical personnel; and setting up operational support systems.

Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), managed by the UP Resilience Institute, utilizes AI-enhanced modeling, Light Detection and Ranging mapping, and data analytics to produce real-time hazard assessments and predictive flood scenarios.

These tools aim to assist national and local government units in making informed decisions before and during emergencies.

De Leon emphasized that investing in disaster prevention safeguards public infrastructure and resources from costly damages caused by heavy rains and typhoons.

“The best disaster management is when we are able to prevent disasters from becoming a catastrophe. Every peso we invest in better forecasting and preparedness can help save lives, protect livelihoods, and avoid far greater losses later on,” he said.

“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.”

The DBM previously collaborated with UP NOAH to integrate disaster risk reduction strategies into its Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation (Project DIME) initiative, evaluating the vulnerability of government infrastructure projects to natural hazards. (PNA)