Baguio City, Philippines — Did you know that the DSWD Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (FO CAR) has developed its own Predictive Analytics Map to enhance disaster preparedness and response?
This innovation, known as the Predictive Analytics for Humanitarian Response (PAHR), is embedded within the region’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Communication – Information System (DROMIC IS). It integrates current weather forecasts, vulnerability and exposure data, and historical hazard records to anticipate the potential impact of natural disasters.
Using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, DSWD FO CAR processes these datasets to identify which areas may be hardest hit and estimate the number of people likely to be affected. The result is a dynamic map displaying projected population exposure and the quantity of relief goods needed—even before the disaster occurs.
Meanwhile, Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten said “these technologies are very useful in the operation of the agency for a fast and efficient delivery of services”.
With this information, the office can strategically preposition relief supplies and deploy field personnel where they are most needed. This system is particularly vital in the Cordillera region, which remains vulnerable to typhoons, landslides, and other climate-induced hazards due to its mountainous terrain.
“Cordillera is hazard-prone by nature. Through predictive analytics, we are not just waiting for disasters to happen — we’re preparing for them intelligently,” said Enrique H. Gascon Jr., Assistant Regional Director for Administration.
The PAHR is fully integrated into DSWD FO CAR’s DROMIC IS — a digital platform used by the regional office for live reporting, monitoring, and coordination. Through this system, Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams across the provinces input ground-level data that becomes visible on the central dashboard in real time. This allows for faster communication, immediate validation, and quicker mobilization of response operations.
The dashboard visually presents consolidated data, including the number of affected barangays and provinces, displaced individuals and families, the operational status of evacuation centers, and the number of damaged houses. It also tracks the total assistance provided — both from DSWD, Local Government Units and other partners — offering a transparent and comprehensive view of the ongoing response.
In addition, the system displays stockpile data across various warehouses, enabling comparison of available resources and ensuring efficient prepositioning and replenishment. A dynamic map of the Cordillera Region is also integrated into the dashboard, indicating the location and quantity of stockpiled goods in each province and local government unit. This helps the team assess logistics coverage and respond quickly to areas with limited or depleted supplies.
In effect, DROMIC IS has become the central command system of DSWD FO CAR’s disaster operations — a tool that enables the office to monitor real time data, validate needs on the ground, and deploy response teams and aid in the shortest time possible.
As disasters become more complex and fast-moving, tools like DROMIC IS and PAHR give DSWD FO CAR a critical edge in its mission to protect lives amid crises.
As the lead agency for disaster response under the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC), DSWD FO CAR continues to innovate and refine its systems to improve readiness. The use of predictive analytics is one of its key proactive approaches to ensure that no community is left behind, especially during the most critical times. # DSWD-CAR Social Marketing Unit –Novelle G. Ongat, Information Officer II
