As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, global and state organizations are accelerating efforts to protect vulnerable regions. For the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), early warning systems are seen as vital tools to save lives and reduce economic losses.
Cyrille Honore, Director of the Disaster Risk Reduction Office at WMO, highlighted the UN’s Early Warning for All initiative, aiming to ensure global access to early warning systems by 2027. These systems monitor hazards, assess risks, and communicate warnings to help communities take action before disasters strike.
Honore spoke during the 57th session of the Typhoon Committee, held in Manila from February 17 to 20. The intergovernmental body, established in 1968, promotes disaster preparedness among its 14 member countries, including the Philippines, Japan, and the U.S. PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando emphasized how the annual meetings have strengthened the Philippines’ capacity to deliver early warnings for typhoons and related hazards.
PAGASA’s disaster preparedness efforts were recognized with the Dr. Roman L. Kintanar Award. The agency’s innovations, especially during last year’s record-breaking storm season, played a crucial role in safeguarding communities.
One key advancement is the adoption of impact-based forecasting, which focuses on what weather events will do rather than what they will be. PAGASA Deputy Administrator Marcelino Villafuerte explained that this new forecasting protocol, piloted in select Philippine regions, translates forecasts into actionable steps for communities.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The Philippines was named the world’s riskiest country for the third consecutive year in the 2024 WorldRiskReport. A lack of funding for PAGASA’s 430 hydrometeorological stations during previous administrations has hindered its ability to provide timely warnings.
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum stressed that accurate meteorological data is essential for life-saving decisions. He also noted PAGASA’s plans to integrate artificial intelligence into weather forecasting, which could significantly improve forecast accuracy and efficiency.
Solidum underscored the importance of resilience efforts that go beyond survival. “Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation should not just help us survive but also thrive economically,” he said.
With ongoing advancements and global collaboration, the Philippines continues to build a future of better preparedness and resilience against climate-driven disasters.