AMID a national controversy over substandard flood-control projects, a disaster risk expert called for less reliance on foreign loans and greater coordination with local scientists to develop low-cost disaster solutions.
Prof. Mahar Lagmay, project head of the University of the Philippines (UP) National Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH), said working with local experts to address climate disasters would allow the government to better utilize resources.
“If we make use of local expertise, local capacity, natututo tayo, nakaka-save tayo [kapag] ginagamit natin ‘yong local resources, human resources, most importantly—mas marami tayong magagawa,” Lagmay said during the 2026 Benavides Lecture of the College of Nursing.
“Akala niyo aid ‘yong mga dumadating sa atin? They’re loans. ‘Yong mga overseas development assistance? They’re loans. We pay for it,” he added.
Lagmay also called out the government for its poor disaster mitigation responses and corrupt practices, which often lead to faulty interventions and a lack of funds for risk management activities.
One of these instances, the disaster risk expert recounted, was the defunding of “Project NOAH,” a disaster preparedness project under the Department of Science and Technology, last 2017 during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. The project was later adopted by UP.
To improve flood response in the country, Lagmay urged the government to subscribe to probabilistic hazard mapping. Probabilistic maps identify hazardous areas even before a potential disaster hits.
“The business of hazard mapping is not just to identify the hazard, but also to identify the safest places for development and places to evacuate,” Lagmay said.
“If you have good information like this [map], science-based, technology-based, makakapag-decide tayo ng maganda,” he added.
He also emphasized the need to update the disaster risk indicators used by the government during disasters and incorporate science-based solutions into the master plan and interventions of local government units.
Lagmay obtained his undergraduate and master’s degrees from UP Diliman, and he holds a doctorate degree in earth sciences from the University of Cambridge. He is the executive director of the UP Resilience Institute.
The forum, organized by the UST College of Nursing, had the theme “Capitalizing on Advanced Technology in Building Resilient Communities,” and was held on Jan. 26 at the San Martin de Porres Auditorium.
The annual lecture is named after Miguel de Benavides, O.P., the founder of UST. With reports from Amador Denzel M. Teston and Nadine T. Felismino
