Faced with the rising toll of climate-related disasters in the Philippines, a Filipina-led startup has developed a mobile application that uses smart technologies to help local government units (LGUs) respond to emergencies faster and more efficiently.

Alerto PH, an AI-powered app created by Cristina Macaraig and backed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aims to connect emergency detection devices — such as smoke detectors, fire alarms, and flood sensors — directly to local responders through a decentralized command center.

“When these devices detect danger, whether it is a fire, break-in, or flood, they can automatically trigger alerts through our app to both the property owner and the nearest responders, even if no one is able to call for help,” said Macaraig, founder and CEO of Wiredfield Philippines Inc.

She added: “On the back end, our command center uses remote sensing, data aggregation, and AI to give local governments and emergency teams real-time information so they can respond faster and manage their communities more effectively.”

Macaraig’s company, Wiredfield, is a woman-led Filipino tech firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It aims to empower LGUs in building smarter, safer, and more resilient communities through Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Her innovation was unveiled at the What’s Next: A PHILIPPiNEXT Media Launch, a side event to the Philippines’ first international exposition of technologies, held on 14–16 July 2025 in Pasay City.

Macaraig, who spent 10 years working in the United States in software development and product marketing, said her experience doing side projects with Philippine LGUs and NGOs shaped her understanding of how mapping, data, and local insights can strengthen public services.

“Here in the Philippines, those systems were either too expensive, too complex, or simply not available for regular households,” she said. “Most communities relied on outdated infrastructure or had no emergency response mechanisms at all. I saw a clear gap — and a practical opportunity — to create something better.”

Macaraig’s team has begun pilot testing the app in Tagaytay and Quezon City, where smoke alarms and flood detectors have been installed in vulnerable neighborhoods.

“Imagine if every home in the Philippines had smoke alarms. And this is just the beginning,” she said. “With the support of DOST, we’re adding flood alarms, SOS buttons, security systems, CCTV cameras, and even health watches.”

According to a 2024 report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), having even one functional smoke alarm in a neighborhood can reduce the risk of death in a fire by more than 60 percent. Macaraig hopes this kind of life-saving potential will encourage more LGUs to adopt the system.

“There are ongoing discussions with several LGUs, and we are very encouraged by their interest,” she said. “Our bigger goal is to make sure what we are building becomes truly sustainable.”

Macaraig cited U.S.-based startup OpenGov as an example of how public-private collaboration can transform public service through innovative governance technology.

Looking ahead, she envisions Alerto PH becoming part of a nationwide, decentralized emergency response network, where every household, school, and LGU can access real-time risk data and act immediately, even before responders arrive.

“When you’re creating something truly new, people won’t always understand it right away — and that’s okay,” she said. “You have to believe in the problem you’re solving and keep showing up until others start to see the value too.”

Alerto PH is also part of DOST-TAPI’s TECHNiCOM program, which supports innovations with strong commercialization potential. The initiative is in line with DOST’s broader goals of promoting inclusive, sustainable, and science-driven solutions across sectors.