PhilAWARE is a custom early warning and risk intelligence platform, deployed in 2020 by PDC and powered by its core DisasterAWARE system, designed in collaboration with the Philippine disaster management community to help decision-makers better anticipate disasters, assess potential impacts, and effectively prepare for and respond to events. The platform provides near real-time warnings and analytical insights ahead of tropical cyclone landfall, 24-hour flood forecasts via a color-coded vigilance map, real-time water level data from over 1,700 monitoring stations, and behavioral guidance for citizens and authorities.
PhilAWARE serves as an integrated multi-hazard monitoring and early warning solution to support the NDRRMC Operations Center in pre-disaster planning, response, and post-disaster activities. Its newest capabilities, deployed in 2024, include automated hazard information from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The system was formally institutionalized into the Philippines’ 2024 National Disaster Response Plan and the 2024 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines, ensuring its role as a cornerstone of national disaster preparedness and response.
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Philippines Multi-Hazard Early Warning System
General Information
ISIG
Integrated multi-hazard early warning and risk intelligence platform
The Philippines is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate hazards, experiencing an average of 19 tropical cyclones annually. The Philippines is ranked 9th in the world risk index which includes hazards like tropical cyclones, earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions, flood and more. The urgent need for a comprehensive early warning system became evident after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, one of the most powerful and destructive typhoons on record. PDC has partnered with USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs to help equip vulnerable countries around the world with enhanced disaster risk reduction capabilities using the Center's DisasterAWARE multi-hazard early warning, modeling, and risk intelligence platform.
Needs Addressed
The need to be always informed and to possess situational data is a crucial element to effective decision-making and planning against all threats. The Philippines faced fragmented warning systems across regions, technical information inaccessible to local authorities, delayed information transmission during disasters, lack of real-time monitoring for rapid onset events, and absence of standardized risk communication across the archipelago. PhilAWARE addresses these gaps by providing an integrated platform for multi-hazard monitoring and coordinated response.
All population groups in the Philippines are vulnerable to multiple natural hazards. Coastal communities face particular risks from typhoons and storm surges, while urban poor in informal settlements lack adequate shelter. Indigenous peoples in mountainous areas are vulnerable to landslides, and farmers depend heavily on weather patterns. The system serves the entire population of over 110 million people across 7,640 islands.
The PhilAWARE system is operationally used at the nation's Emergency Operations Center in Manila to prepare and respond to disaster events throughout the country. The system operates under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as the implementing agency, coordinating with multiple national agencies including PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In 2024, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) conducted regular disaster preparedness and response meetings, leveraging PhilAWARE for Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment. The Philippines has a comprehensive National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, with PhilAWARE serving as the technological backbone for monitoring, early warning, and coordinated response across all levels of government.
The custom system pulls in relevant national data to support decision making such as critical infrastructure, population risk and vulnerability data, locations of schools, hospitals, ports, seaports, emergency response facilities. The system integrates data from multiple monitoring networks including seismic sensors, weather stations, and hydrological monitoring systems across the archipelago.
The system democratizes access to hazard information previously restricted to technical experts. Communities receive real-time warnings and behavioral guidance, while local authorities use the platform for coordinated response. The engagement aims to transform technical data into actionable information for all stakeholders.
The PhilAWARE system also supported coordination of OCD's response, allowing stakeholders to share important hazard information in near real time, and receive hazard update notifications via the system's SmartAlert service. Training sessions for regional offices, integration with local government units, mobile alerts, public information campaigns, and operational briefings during emergencies.
Communities primarily receive warnings and guidance but have limited direct input in the design of the system. Regional and local authorities have greater influence through operational feedback and can customize response protocols based on PhilAWARE data. The system follows a top-down information flow with increasing efforts for subnational engagement.
In preparation for the impending storm season, OCD mobilized its cadre of skilled PhilAWARE trainers to deliver use training to the regional OCD offices, building subnational capacity to access and utilize the system for monitoring and response. The system builds long-term resilience through continuous training programs, technology transfer to regional offices, and integration with local emergency management procedures.
Hazard Type
Geographical Scope - Nuts
Geographical Scope
Population Size
Population Density
Vulnerable Groups
Governance
Emergency Preparedness
Infrastructure Readiness
Engagement Level
Empowerment Level
Implementation
Beyond hazard monitoring, the PhilAWARE System is employed for creating incident maps and situation overviews through visual and interactive maps of various disaster incidents. Key innovations include: real-time multi-hazard monitoring across all Philippine hazards; automated data integration from PAGASA and PHIVOLCS; SmartAlert notification system; drawing tools for mapping affected areas; impact modeling and needs assessment capabilities; integration with critical lifeline infrastructure data; 24-hour advance warning capabilities; and institutionalization within national disaster management frameworks.
English, Philipino
Philippines Office of Civil Defense (OCD) under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
The OCD has decades of experience in disaster management, coordinating national response to typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other hazards. OCD has institutionalized the PhilAWARE system by issuing both use and staffing policy memorandums and budgeting to support the system's ongoing costs. The agency maintains the National Emergency Operations Center and coordinates with all government agencies involved in disaster risk reduction.
Representatives from OCD, other National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member agencies including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Phivolcs, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and Department of Social Welfare and Development, as well as USAID, the United Nations, and private sector representatives. Pacific Disaster Center (PDC), University of Hawaii, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), regional and local government units.
Initial partnership was develped between the Pacific Disastr Center and the Office of Civil Defense; this was followed by beta version development and testing (February 2020); remote mapping for pilot areas in the Province of Pampanga and Quezon City followed; in late 2021, system was deployed and handed to OCD; the system became operational during Typhoon Rai and the Tropical Storm Agaton. The second phase consisted in scale-up, with the expansion kickoff in Manila (october 2022). Subnational expansion and training programs and the formal institutionalization in national plans are the most recent updates (until 2024).
Human resources: Dedicated OCD operations center staff, regional trainers, IT support teams. Financial resources: USAID funded nearly a million-dollar expansion, with Philippine government budget allocation for operations. Technical resources: Server infrastructure, integration with national monitoring networks, GIS capabilities, communication systems. Capacity building: Ongoing training programs for national and subnational users.
- Phase I: 2019-2021 (Development and initial deployment)
- Phase II: October 2022 - July 2023 (Subnational expansion)
- Ongoing: Continuous improvement and institutionalization
- Regular monitoring through disaster response operations and annual evaluations
Experience of the Implementing Organisation in DRM
Target Audience
Resources Required
Timeframe & Phases
Participation Results
Initial challenges included integrating diverse data sources from multiple agencies, which was addressed through standardized protocols and automated data feeds. Language and technical capacity barriers at subnational levels led to expanded training programs and simplified user interfaces. Being able to map affected areas quickly and easily with the PhilAWARE system meant we could respond quicker, getting required help and resources to those who needed it. Resource limitations for nationwide coverage prompted phased expansion focusing on high-risk regions first.
The system addresses risks through redundant infrastructure, backup communication channels, and continuous system monitoring. Technical failures are mitigated through server redundancy and manual backup procedures. Capacity gaps are addressed through regular training and technical support. Data accuracy is ensured through automated quality control and verification with source agencies.
Risk & Mitigation Plan
Scalability and Sustainability
OCD has institutionalized the PhilAWARE system by issuing both use and staffing policy memorandums and budgeting to support the system's ongoing costs. Sustainability is achieved through government budget allocation, integration into national disaster management frameworks, partnership with international donors, and building local technical capacity for system maintenance and operation.
The PhilAWARE model demonstrates high scalability potential for other disaster-prone countries. Strengthening decision support systems in the Philippines is part of a larger Regional and National Capacity Development Program for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States. The system's modular architecture allows adaptation to different hazard contexts, governance structures, and technical capacities. Success factors include strong government ownership, sustained funding, and continuous capacity building.
PhilAWARE represents cutting-edge disaster management technology, integrating real-time data feeds, predictive modeling, GIS visualization, and mobile alert systems. The user-friendly PhilAWARE system's critical datasets and custom mapping capabilities allows information to be quickly and efficiently shared with other disaster management stakeholders. Innovation includes automated hazard detection, impact assessment algorithms, and integration of crowdsourced data for enhanced situational awareness.
Initial development and deployment funded by USAID through PDC. Infrastructure setup included server systems, software licensing, initial training programs, and pilot area mapping. The U.S. government announced it would fund nearly a million-dollar expansion of the Philippine's risk intelligence and early warning system.
Recurring costs include staff salaries for operations center, system maintenance and upgrades, training programs, communication infrastructure, and data acquisition from monitoring agencies. Philippine government has allocated budget for ongoing operations through OCD.
Key lessons include: the importance of early stakeholder engagement and co-design; need for continuous capacity building at all levels; value of integrating existing national data sources; critical role of institutionalization through policy and budget allocation; effectiveness of phased implementation approach; and importance of demonstrating operational value through real disaster response.