Communities in northern Philippines are showing how early preparation and coordinated action can significantly reduce damage from extreme weather, as repeated typhoons continue to threaten lives and livelihoods in the region.
In Cagayan province, one of the country’s key agricultural and fishing hubs, farmers and fishers have faced increasing losses due to frequent and intense storms. In 2024 alone, six tropical cyclones hit the region, causing widespread damage to boats, crops, and infrastructure. By September 2025, losses to agriculture and fisheries were estimated at over $13.7 million.
However, when Super Typhoon Fung-Wong (Uwan) approached later that year, communities adopted a different strategy acting before disaster struck.
With support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and local authorities, fishers from coastal villages moved their boats inland and secured them using ropes and protective materials. In areas like San Juan and Buguey, fisherfolk associations worked together to safeguard equipment, while families prepared essential supplies ahead of the storm.
At the same time, farmers took preventive measures to protect their assets. With technical guidance and financial assistance, they relocated seeds and fertilizers, reinforced livestock shelters, and secured farming tools. These efforts helped protect agricultural assets worth nearly $37,000, demonstrating the impact of anticipatory action.
Officials say such early interventions are becoming increasingly necessary as climate-related disasters intensify. The concept of “anticipatory action” taking steps based on forecasts before a disaster occurs is now gaining traction across the country.
At the national level, the government has institutionalised this approach through the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act, integrating early response measures into its disaster risk management framework.
Experts note that beyond physical protection, these efforts have strengthened community confidence and resilience. The coordinated response, rooted in the Filipino tradition of collective action, helped ensure that boats remained intact, crops were preserved, and families were better prepared to recover quickly after the storm.
The initiative was supported by multiple international partners, including funding from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, Germany through FAO’s emergency fund, and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, along with additional support from Australia.
The FAO has also launched its Global Emergency and Resilience Appeal 2026, aiming to help 100 million people worldwide protect their food systems from climate shocks.
As extreme weather becomes more frequent, the experience of communities in Cagayan highlights a key lesson: timely preparation, local coordination, and access to resources can turn vulnerability into resilience, even in the face of powerful storms.