The floods of 2025 have receded, but the high water marks they left on our walls and in our memories remain fresh.
As the Philippines ushers in 2026, we have a critical window of opportunity. With roughly six months before the rainy season peaks again, we are looking back to arm ourselves once more against disasters.
Last year, Fyt and LyfSaver were on the ground documenting not just the deluge but the gaps in our defenses. From the mountains of Benguet to the urban sprawl of Metro Manila, the stories we covered revealed a hard truth: resilience is no longer enough. We need strategy.
Here are five hard-earned lessons from 2025 that must guide our preparedness plan for 2026.
1. "Unprecedented" is the new normal.
Last year, we learned that historical data can no longer predict future weather conditions. We saw this when Metro Manila was battered by 500 mm of rain in just one month, which overwhelmed drainage systems designed for a different climate era.
We also learned that storms are evolving. The “Fujiwhara Effect” – where two storms interact and dance around each other – showed us that weather patterns are becoming increasingly complex.
Lesson # 1: In 2026, we must stop being surprised by “record-breaking” statistics. We must upgrade our infrastructure and personal preparations for scenarios once considered impossible.
2. Data saves lives, but only if we act on it.
Science spoke loudly in 2025. In Baguio, geoscientists issued precise warnings when rainfall breached the landslide threshold. These were scientific estimates calculated to save lives.
But in areas like Itogon, Benguet, we still saw mudslides displace families. While warnings exist, the gap between scientific data and community evacuation often remains too wide.
Lesson # 2: Listen to the scientists. When thresholds are breached, evacuation should be automatic.
3. Preparedness is a civic duty.
Disasters don't begin when the rain starts falling. They begin when we fail to prepare during the dry season.
The victories we saw last year happened in communities that had pre-positioned goods, clear communication lines, and established protocols. The tragedies occurred where response was reactive rather than proactive.
Lesson # 3: Use the next six months wisely. Fix the roof, clear the drainage, and organize the barangay. The sun is shining now, which means it’s the perfect time to prepare for the rain.
4. Resilience requires funding, not just spirit.
Perhaps the most frustrating lesson of 2025 was the disconnect between budget and reality. Despite a staggering P1.1 trillion allocated for climate expenditure, many communities remained underwater and under-equipped.
We saw the numbers on paper, but we didn't always see the flood controls, the evacuation centers, or the relief goods on the ground.
Lesson # 4: We cannot eat resilience. We need to demand that the trillions allocated for our safety actually materialize into infrastructure that keeps us dry.
5. Technology is our lifeline.
Amid the chaos of disaster, information is as vital as food. Using readily available tools like LyfSaver proved that technology can bridge the gap between victims and rescuers. By allowing users to report their status and location, we moved from helpless waiting to active coordination.
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Beyond immediate reporting, these platforms are evolving into hubs for proactive community action. As Dingdong Dantes, actor and YesPinoy Foundation founder, emphasized during the first Maki-FIESTA in 2024, LyfSaver goes beyond just reporting incidents.
“Through the platform, you can also sign up as volunteers,” Dantes said. “You can undergo training for disaster preparedness, training for response, relief, and recovery through a process designed to maximize your interest and skills.”
He highlighted that these initiatives are designed to empower citizens, especially the youth, to respond to crises “not just for their own families, but maybe also for their barangay and their community.”
Lesson # 5: Civic tech is the future of disaster response. In 2026, knowing how to use safety apps is now a survival skill. Download the tools, learn them, and teach your community before the skies turn gray.
Moving forward: using tech for accountability
As we navigate 2026, we are taking our commitment a step further. It is not enough for us to simply brave the storm. We must ensure the funds meant to protect us aren't washed away by corruption or inefficiency.
This year, we are taking notes from Fyt board member Jaemark Tordecilla’s approach where he used artificial intelligence to track the government’s climate spending. We will continue using technology not just to prepare for disasters, but to hold the administration accountable for every peso of the climate budget.
The rainy season will come again. But this time, we are armed with data, technology, and a vigilant community. - fyt.ph
