The University of the Philippines’ Project Noah has received P1 billion in funding from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to strengthen the country’s disaster forecasting and hazard monitoring capabilities through artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies.
The funding is aimed at helping the government and communities prepare earlier for potential disasters by providing faster, more accurate and science-based information on floods and other hazards.
P1 Billion for Better Disaster Preparedness
The DBM said the allocation reflects a shift in disaster management—from responding to disasters after they strike to anticipating risks and preventing them from becoming major catastrophes.
Of the P1 billion, P935 million will support research services, while the remaining amount will fund general management and supervision for the implementation of Project Noah.
Acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon described the funding as an investment in prevention, saying science, AI and real-time hazard information can help government agencies act earlier and allow communities to prepare better.
He added that investments in forecasting and preparedness can save lives, protect livelihoods and prevent greater losses in the long run.
AI and Technology at the Center
Implemented by the UP Resilience Institute, Project Noah uses research and technology to support disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The program harnesses AI-enhanced modeling, Lidar mapping, data analytics and other digital technologies to generate real-time hazard assessments, predictive flood scenarios and other science-based information.
According to the DBM, the funding will support the procurement and deployment of critical ICT, digital, technical and scientific equipment. It will also help fund specialized technical personnel and operational systems needed to improve the country’s hazard assessment and forecasting capabilities.
Preparing Before Disasters Strike
The funding announcement comes as the country continues to face the threat of typhoons, floods and other climate-related hazards.
The DBM said strengthening Project Noah will give authorities and communities access to more timely and reliable information, allowing them to make informed decisions and take preventive action before disasters strike.
For the government, the goal is simple: use technology and science to give Filipinos more time to prepare—and ultimately reduce the human and economic cost of disasters.
