DBM: Project NOAH gets P1 billion for flood forecasting

MANILA, Philippines — With parts of Luzon still submerged by floods due to heavy rains, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P1 billion to the University of the Philippines System to enhance Project NOAH’s artificial intelligence-powered flood forecasting and disaster prevention.

The funding will support Project NOAH or the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards in enhancing predictive flood modeling and real-time hazard assessments, to help the government respond before disasters strike, the DBM said in a statement.

“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,” acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said.

Of the released amount, P935 million will go to research services, while P65 million will fund general management and supervision of the program.?This will be sourced from the university’s built-in appropriation under the 2026 national budget.

The DBM said the funding will finance the procurement and deployment of critical ICT, digital, technical and scientific equipment, engagement of highly specialized technical personnel as well as the establishment of operational support systems.

Implemented by the UP Resilience Institute, the program uses AI-enhanced modeling, LiDAR mapping, data analytics and other digital technologies to generate real-time hazard assessments, predictive flood scenarios and science-based information.

De Leon said the investment was aimed at shifting disaster management toward prevention and protection of public resources instead of post-calamity incurring greater losses.