Workshop on firms and economic development | Organized by TEMPEST: Typhoon effects on enterprises in the Philippines

How do typhoons impact firms, workers, and the broader economy in the Philippines? That’s the central question of TEMPEST (Typhoon Effects on Enterprises in the Philippines) a global research initiative tackling one of the most urgent and underexplored challenges in disaster-prone economies. With the Philippines experiencing frequent and intense typhoons, the consequences go far beyond damaged infrastructure. These shocks disrupt business operations, displace workers, fracture supply chains, and threaten productivity and long-term development. 

The TEMPEST Project investigates how these shocks affect firms in practice:  

How are operations disrupted? 
What strategic decisions are made—closure, relocation, or adaptation? 
How are workers impacted in terms of employment, wages, and job security? 
And most importantly—what makes some firms more resilient than others? 

Funded by the Research Council of Norway, TEMPEST (RCN Project Number 352508) is an interdisciplinary collaboration among five leading institutions. Ateneo de Manila University, one of TEMPEST’s external partners, is represented by Dr. Maire Carroline Magante, whose expertise in migration and labor economics strengthens the local research capacity and deepens the understanding of the Philippine context. 

The full TEMPEST team includes: 
Oslo Business School (Project Lead) – Dr Fenella Carpena 
BI Norwegian Business School – Dr Simon Galle 
The World Bank – Dr Arlan Brucal 
Ateneo de Manila University – Dr Maire Carroline Magante 
University of the Philippines – Dr Anthony Sabarillo 

Our recent workshop, held at Faber Hall in the Loyola Heights campus of Ateneo de Manila University last 4 August, featured keynote talks from Prof Toshihiro Okubo (Keio University) and Prof Heiwai Tang (HKU Business School), along with presentations from scholars at the World Bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Seoul National University, the University of the Philippines as well as Ateneo de Manila University. By combining firm-level data, economic theory, and policy insights, TEMPEST aims to generate rigorous evidence and insights with the hope of contributing to more responsive, inclusive disaster policies—for businesses and the people who depend on them.

See more photos from the event here.