A year-long social listening study finds that while typhoons and weather advisories dominated disaster-related conversation on Facebook, it was posts about flood control and accountability that Filipinos engaged with most.
Flood control projects generated less discussion on Facebook than typhoons or earthquakes over the past year — but drew far more engagement, according to a new study by Capstone Intel Corp.
The study covered public Facebook posts from June 24, 2025 to June 24, 2026 and grouped disaster-related conversations by topic and the engagement those posts received.
THE NUMBERS
Posts about typhoons, heavy rain, and weather advisories made up the largest share of disaster-related conversation at 36 percent, with a combined engagement score of about 13.9 million.
By contrast, posts about flood control, corruption, and public accountability accounted for only about 19.5 percent of the discussions — yet generated the highest engagement score in the study, at roughly 30.1 million, more than double what weather-related posts received.
Earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity made up around 29.4 percent of posts, generating about 14.3 million in engagement. Posts on flood impacts, urban drainage, and community disruption accounted for roughly 7.9 percent of the conversation, with about 5.2 million in engagement, while other disaster-related posts made up 7.1 percent and drew around 3.2 million.
The smallest share went to relief, preparedness, and community response content, at just 0.2 percent of posts and about 63,800 in engagement.
| Topic | Share of Posts | Engagement Score |
|---|---|---|
| Typhoons, heavy rain, weather advisories | 36% | ~13.9M |
| Flood control, corruption, accountability | 19.5% | ~30.1M |
| Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity | 29.4% | ~14.3M |
| Flood impacts, urban drainage, disruption | 7.9% | ~5.2M |
| Other disaster-related posts | 7.1% | ~3.2M |
| Relief, preparedness, community response | 0.2% | ~63.8K |
WHAT IT MEANS
The findings suggest that while Filipinos turn to Facebook for weather updates during disasters, conversation becomes far more active once the discussion shifts to flood control projects and related issues.
Capstone-Intel Research and Publications Director Kaye Domingo said the results show conversations about disasters on Facebook are no longer limited to weather updates, with flood control emerging as one of the topics driving the strongest public reaction over the one-year period.
The findings are based on public Facebook posts collected during the one-year study and do not represent the views of all Filipinos.
WHY THIS TRACKS
The findings echo what Philippine Observer has already reported: flood control and cost of living topped the list of concerns Filipinos wanted addressed in this year’s State of the Nation Address. Together, the two reports point to the same pattern — flood control isn’t just a weather-season topic anymore, it’s become a standing accountability issue that Filipinos actively engage with online.
Related coverage: Flood control, cost of living top Filipinos’ SONA concerns — Capstone Intel
SOURCES / FOOTNOTES
- Capstone-Intel, “Flood control issues topped FB engagement despite fewer posts: report”, August 13, 2026.
