In early November 2025, the Philippines faced a harrowing ordeal as Typhoon Kalmaegi and Super Typhoon Fung-wong—locally known as Uwan—struck in quick succession, leaving devastation in their wake. The twin storms battered the archipelago, causing widespread destruction, displacing hundreds of thousands, and testing the resilience of communities and the disaster response system. Yet, amid the loss and chaos, a remarkable shift in disaster management and international cooperation emerged, offering hope for a future where such catastrophes are met with greater preparedness and unity.
Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall on the country’s main island of Luzon and parts of the Visayas, unleashing floods and landslides that cut power to over 150 municipalities and claimed at least 28 lives, according to the Philippine News Agency. Just days earlier, Typhoon Kalmaegi had inundated the Visayas and the southern island of Mindanao, resulting in nearly 270 fatalities. The sheer scale of the disaster was staggering: by mid-November, more than 4.6 million people had been affected by Fung-wong alone, with about 177,000 families seeking refuge in over 9,000 evacuation centers and 85,000 individuals assisted elsewhere, as reported by the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
In the province of Catanduanes, the destruction was particularly acute. According to Rappler, the cost of damages caused by Super Typhoon Uwan had already surpassed P5.74 billion, leaving over 206,000 individuals (nearly 61,000 families) struggling to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. Residents like Vivian Icawat shared heart-wrenching stories of losing everything. "Our house was completely obliterated, along with all our valuables," she recounted. Her plight resonated with many, prompting a groundswell of support from organizations and individuals determined to help the island recover.
Relief efforts quickly mobilized across Catanduanes and beyond. Groups such as Tulong Kabataan-Bicol, Ando Cua Foundation, Tarabang para sa Bicol, San Andres Volunteers Network, and the Bicolano Young Leaders Congress (BYLC) sprang into action, distributing food packs, hot meals, and personal hygiene supplies. These organizations, alongside the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation and Catanduanes State University, coordinated both monetary and in-kind donations, calling on volunteers to help repack and transport goods. The Diocese of Virac and other local institutions also played key roles, ensuring that aid reached even the hardest-hit communities.
While the immediate relief was vital, the Philippines’ response to the 2025 storms also showcased a deeper transformation in disaster governance. For decades, the country’s typhoon seasons followed a familiar, tragic pattern: devastation, followed by reactive relief and years of slow recovery. But as The Manila Times highlighted, November 2025 marked a turning point. The Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), activated an anticipatory action pilot in Region 2 three days before Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall. This initiative, rooted in scientific forecasting and proactive planning, aimed to shield vulnerable smallholders—farmers and fishermen who could least afford to lose their assets—from the worst impacts.
"Anticipatory action can reduce disaster losses by up to 3.5 times compared with traditional reactive approaches," noted Lionel Dabbadie, the FAO’s representative in the Philippines. The pilot program issued locally tailored agroclimatic advisories and helped protect crops, livestock, and fishing boats while it was still safe to do so. These early measures proved critical, safeguarding hundreds of families and their livelihoods. The approach built on lessons learned in 2024, when the Philippines successfully applied forecast-based financing to six tropical cyclones, releasing funds and technical support up to 72 hours before landfall. In Regions 5 and 8, thousands of families received pre-disaster cash transfers of about P3,300 (approximately $56) each, and cooperative groups evacuated 283 fishing boats—an intervention that cost far less than replacing lost assets.
This shift toward anticipatory action was further cemented by the passage of Republic Act 12287, the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act. The new law empowers national and local governments to declare an imminent disaster based on scientific risk assessments, enabling early measures three to five days before a storm’s impact. This closes a longstanding policy gap that had forced officials to wait for damage before mobilizing resources. "With RA 12287, early budgeting, pre-disaster procurement, and forecast-based responses become not only possible but expected," explained Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the secretary of the Department of Agriculture. The law positions the Philippines as a global leader in anticipatory disaster governance, offering a model for other climate-vulnerable nations.
Institutional reforms have been matched by grassroots action. Years of training and simulation exercises mean that local governments and cooperatives in places like Catanduanes can now activate early disaster protocols largely on their own. Volunteers mobilize, advisories are communicated, and shared resources are secured—often without waiting for outside intervention. This growing local capacity is a testament to the power of community-driven resilience and the importance of embedding early action into everyday practice.
International cooperation has also played a vital role. Responding to a request from the Philippine government, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command swiftly deployed assets and personnel to support disaster relief efforts. Working in lockstep with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the NDRRMC, the Office of Civil Defense, and other agencies, U.S. forces helped deliver critical supplies and logistical support. U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, praised the Philippines’ preparedness: "I have been thoroughly impressed by the preparedness and forward-leaning measures taken by the Philippine government during this situation, and we will support the lead of our Philippine counterparts as we carry out this relief mission together as a fully aligned team." He added, "Support to our friends, Allies and Partners, and their people in a time of need, is non-negotiable. Together, we are overcoming distance, weather, and logistical challenges to save lives."
By mid-November, the Department of Social Welfare and Development had distributed over 1.2 million family food packs to 17 regions, along with about 24,000 boxes of food and 31,000 nonfood items—including to stranded travelers. These efforts, combined with the anticipatory measures and grassroots mobilization, underscored a new era in Philippine disaster management: one that blends science, policy, and solidarity to mitigate the worst impacts of natural calamities.
As the Philippines continues to face the relentless threat of typhoons, floods, and droughts, the lessons of 2024 and 2025 offer a path forward. With timely support, robust science, and empowered communities, the nation is proving that disaster losses can be dramatically reduced—and that, even in the face of nature’s fury, hope and resilience can prevail.
