Frequent typhoons and limited local disaster preparedness continue to place vulnerable communities at risk.

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, experiencing an average of 20 typhoons annually. Despite recurring climate-related disasters, a 2017 report by the Senate Economic Planning Office highlighted that only 23% of Local Government Units (LGUs) in flood-prone areas were adequately prepared for disasters.

Recent extreme weather events continue to expose these vulnerabilities. In July 2024, Typhoon Carina caused 46 fatalities, while the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) projected up to 14 tropical cyclones between August and December 2024. In many disaster-hit areas, damaged infrastructure and inaccessible roads delay communication, rescue coordination, and the delivery of essential supplies.

Bike Scouts strengthens community resilience through volunteer-led disaster preparedness and rapid-response mobility networks.

Founded in 2013 during Typhoon Yolanda, Bike Scouts was created as an alternative disaster response system using volunteer bicycle messengers to reach isolated communities when conventional transport and communication systems fail. Led by Myles Delfin, the initiative leverages grassroots networks and digital platforms such as Facebook to coordinate volunteers, raise awareness, and manage community operations.

Bike Scouts works with cycling groups and local communities across the Philippines to train responders in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and real-time reporting. Their work provides local, verifiable, and actionable disaster monitoring, communication support for isolated communities, and immediate access to essential supplies in areas inaccessible to motor vehicles.

By combining community mobilisation with low-cost, highly mobile response systems, Bike Scouts enables faster and more localised disaster response while building long-term resilience in at-risk communities.

AirAsia Foundation’s grant strengthens Bike Scouts’ disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity.

• Conducting resilience workshops for Bike Scouts teams and community members in at-risk communities
• Training 210 primary responders across seven locations in bicycle handling, emergency response, disaster mapping, radio communications, and drone operations
• Providing basic documentation tools for disaster monitoring, reporting, and response planning
• Supplying spare bicycle parts, consumable items, and team uniforms to support deployment readiness
• Establishing standby response funding to enable rapid mobilisation during disasters

The grant supports Bike Scouts in enhancing community-based disaster preparedness and ensuring vulnerable communities have faster access to information, communication, and essential supplies during emergencies.