Government allocates ₱1 billion to Project NOAH for hazard mapping and forecasting upgrades

# What happened The Philippine government released ₱1 billion to Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards). This is the first sizable government funding for the program in years and is intended to upgrade its hazard-assessment capabilities.

# How the money is allocated

• ₱935 million is earmarked for research services. That includes exploring advanced, AI-powered hazard assessment tools and other research activities tied to forecasting and monitoring.
• ₱65 million is allocated for program management and supervision, covering ongoing operational oversight.

The budget will be used for advanced information and communications technology (ICT) and scientific equipment, hiring or engaging specialized technical personnel, and supporting operational systems that keep monitoring and forecasting services running.

# What Project NOAH does now Project NOAH was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2012. Its core functions include:

• Mapping areas that are prone to flooding during heavy rains.
• Forecasting threats such as landslides and storm surges.

These tools have been used to identify flood-prone zones and provide information that local planners and responders can apply before and during extreme-weather events.

# What the funding is expected to change

• Upgrading monitoring hardware and ICT infrastructure used for real-time hazard tracking.
• Expanding technical capacity through specialized personnel to run and interpret modeling and forecasting systems.
• Developing or scaling advanced hazard-assessment tools, including AI-enhanced forecasting methods noted under the research-services line item.

This should strengthen Project NOAH's ability to deliver earlier and more accurate hazard maps and forecasts, which local governments and communities can use to reduce damage and plan evacuations or other responses.

# Practical implications for communities and local government Local offices and emergency managers can expect improved data feeds and potentially more precise flood and hazard maps. That could mean:

• Earlier warnings for flood-prone communities.
• Better identification of areas at risk for landslides and storm surge.
• More informed planning for infrastructure and evacuation routes.

The changes depend on how quickly the ICT upgrades, equipment procurement, and technical staffing are implemented, and how accessible the updated outputs are to frontline agencies and communities.

# Bottom line The ₱1 billion represents a renewed, concrete investment in Project NOAH's core monitoring, forecasting, and mapping functions. The money is explicitly targeted at research, technical systems, and program management to move toward more predictive hazard assessment and improved operational support for disaster preparedness.