Alerts to Action! How Our Early Warning System Keeps Communities Safe and Ready
Published: Apr 10, 2025 Reading time: 5 minutes Share: Share an articleSitting on her sofa, watching updates on her television, Ma. Lourdes D. Ramas keeps her Go Bag ready, waiting for any new alerts on her phone. Though her house stands just a few metres from a river basin in Surigao del Sur, she remains calm. Unlike before, she no longer needs to step outside to check the water level or stay up all night worrying. A yellow warning alert had just arrived on her phone.
Storms and typhoons are nothing new in Surigao del Norte or anywhere in the Philippines. According to the 2023 World Risk Index, the country remains the most vulnerable to climate-related hazards, ranking first among 193 nations. On average, the Philippines faces 20 typhoons a year, bringing floods, landslides, and storm surges that destroy property and take lives.
Since the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, the country’s approach to disaster preparedness has changed drastically. Government agencies and private sectors have made major strides in strengthening disaster risk mitigation. However, gaps remain, especially in remote, flood-prone areas.
Faster, more reliable alerts at your fingertips
Like a gust of wind rushing ahead of a storm, mobile alerts now reach communities faster than ever: swift, reliable, and lifesaving.
For Fernando Escartin Jr. of Barangay Cabugao, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, heavy rains used to bring panic, as water levels could rise suddenly. The bandilyo (public announcements via megaphones) from barangay officials were often not enough to keep people prepared.
Bacuag sits within the Campo River Basin, making it highly susceptible to floods and landslides during heavy rainfall. Despite its vulnerability, the town relied solely on bandilyo and sirens to warn residents about rising water levels. Monitoring the river required local disaster officers to physically inspect it, a time-consuming and dangerous task that often-delayed critical warnings.
Over 18 months, PIN Philippines worked with the Strengthening Resilience through Early Action and Impact Mitigation–Early Warning System (STREAM-EWS) project, funded by GSMA, to enhance the accuracy and reach of early warning systems in 15 remote, flood-prone areas across Mindanao.
We installed 19 flood sensors and weather stations and collaborated with local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to establish a standardised, reliable, and sustainable early warning system. To enhance disaster communication, we also developed a localised mobile-based alert system in partnership with SMART-PLDT.
Through the project, LGUs took disaster preparedness into their own hands. Our collaborative table top exercises and contingency plan assessments helped institutionalise disaster preparedness, ensuring these measures were incorporated into municipal policies.
Localised warnings that everyone can understand
One of the biggest challenges in disaster communication is ensuring that warnings are easily understood by all members of the community. Alerts sent through STREAM-EWS are in the local dialect, making sure that children and elderly residents can comprehend the messages.
For many residents, this has made them more proactive, eliminating the need to rely on neighbours or barangay officials for updates. Each registered resident receives direct alerts on their mobile phones, providing immediate access to critical information.
Families can now prepare their emergency Go Bags, secure important documents, and plan evacuation routes before floodwaters rise.
To further reinforce preparedness, we also introduced Household Preparedness Plan posters and installed Flood Colour Coding and Evacuation Map boards in key areas.
Working towards a more prepared Philippines
Technology may carry the warning, but preparedness starts with the people. With early warnings now faster and more reliable, disaster preparedness is no longer just about response, it’s about prevention. However, technology alone isn’t enough; human initiative is crucial in making these systems effective.
Our STREAM-EWS has reached 55,200 registered users across target municipalities, enabling communities to take control of their own safety. Residents no longer feel like passive recipients of disaster response, they are now active participants in their own protection.
But in a country as disaster-prone as the Philippines, more initiatives like STREAM-EWS are needed. Beyond investing in technology, it’s about ensuring that systems and policies are in place to sustain these efforts long-term.
