MANILA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government has released 1 billion pesos (about 16.4 million U.S. dollars) to the University of the Philippines System to enhance AI-powered flood forecasting and disaster prevention, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Monday.
The funding will support Project NOAH, which uses AI and data analytics to provide real-time hazard assessments and predictive flood scenarios, and the goal is to help authorities act before disasters strike, according to DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert De Leon.
"We do not need to wait for floodwaters to rise before we act. The goal is to know where the danger is, who is at risk, and what needs to be done before disaster strikes," he said.
The Philippines is highly prone to flooding, with annual monsoon rains and typhoons frequently inundating large parts of the country. Flood control infrastructure has long been a priority for the government as it seeks to protect communities and reduce economic losses from recurring natural disasters. ■
