Japan and the Philippines partner on an AI-powered disaster risk platform

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have agreed to collaborate on the GATES programme, a national geospatial and AI initiative aimed at strengthening disaster risk reduction and data-driven governance.

The Geospatial Analytics & Technology Solutions (GATES) programme is led by DOST and aims to integrate fragmented disaster-risk, geospatial, climate, hazard and strategic datasets from across government into a unified and interoperable data ecosystem. The programme uses geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence to support digital transformation, evidence-based policymaking, and science, technology, and innovation.

The collaboration will be carried out through the JICA Digital Transformation Lab and will begin in June 2026 for around four months. JICA DXLab will provide technical expertise to support data interoperability, governance frameworks and digital transformation capabilities under the GATES programme.

The partnership will also explore how the platform could contribute to broader digital public infrastructure for climate and disaster-risk information. DOST and JICA said the goal is to build a secure, reliable, and trusted AI ecosystem for disaster risk reduction and data-driven governance.

The collaboration builds on a long-running Japan–Philippines partnership in disaster resilience. Since the 1970s, JICA has supported the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration through meteorological equipment and technical cooperation, helping strengthen observation, forecasting, and early warning systems for typhoons, heavy rainfall, and flooding.

JICA has also worked with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, including through the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study and ongoing cooperation on seismic monitoring, early warning systems, and data analysis capabilities.

Launched in 2025 as part of DOST’s ELEV8PH initiative, GATES is a three-year programme designed to create an AI-ready national disaster-risk data platform to support decision-making. The programme has already deployed the HANDA integrated preparedness platform, developed an initial data architecture blueprint, and started capacity-building and training activities.

The engagement has two main objectives. The first is to strengthen the platform’s data foundations by helping DOST connect disaster-risk datasets across agencies while preserving agency ownership, developing standards for AI-ready data and establishing a framework for responsible AI use.

The second objective is to turn disaster risk data into decisions. JICA will work with DOST and partner agencies to identify use cases that can improve disaster response and climate risk management, including tools for modelling incoming typhoons, dashboards for tracking climate-related risks, and planning aids for evacuation.

The cooperation is expected to strengthen disaster-risk management systems, support data-driven policymaking and expand the use of disaster-risk data for resilience and sustainable development. The partners also expect the work to strengthen the use of data and AI in policymaking in both the Philippines and Japan.

Why does it matter?

The initiative highlights the growing role of AI, geospatial analytics and interoperable data systems in disaster resilience and climate adaptation. Countries vulnerable to extreme weather events increasingly rely on integrated data platforms to improve forecasting, early warning systems, evacuation planning and emergency response.

The partnership also demonstrates how digital public infrastructure is evolving beyond identity and payments to include critical public-interest datasets. By creating an AI-ready and interoperable disaster-risk data ecosystem, the Philippines could strengthen evidence-based policymaking, improve coordination across government agencies and provide a model for other climate-vulnerable countries seeking to use AI and data more effectively in public administration.

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