PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) broaden their reach in helping communities stay more resilient through sustainable and inclusive communication technology.
To date, PLDT and Smart have deployed 58 Ligtas Kits to municipalities and cities in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. More Ligtas kits will be rolled out in the coming years through partnerships with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and other like-minded organizations that support the #SafeandSmart advocacy.
“We recognize that communication has now become a lifeline during disasters or emergencies. As network operators, PLDT and Smart prioritize providing vital communication support before, during, and immediately after disasters,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart, in a statement.
An all-in-one communications package, the PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit aims to extend quick, emergency communications support to communities during disasters or emergencies. Each kit comes bundled with emergency communications trainings, in partnership with PDRF, which will be conducted to boost the preparedness, response, and recovery capacities of localities and their residents.
Situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and due to its archipelagic nature, the Philippines remains vulnerable to natural calamities, with an average of 20 typhoons entering the country every year.
“Disasters will come but we believe we can still do something to reduce their impact. Bontoc is a special place bounded by mountains, which leads to the possibility of being isolated from the outside world,” shared Mayor Jerome Tudlong Jr. of Bontoc, Mountain Province, during the Ligtas Kit turnover.
He added that “communication is important to our communities. With the Ligtas Kit, we can now extend communication support and assist more residents.”
“Communication plays a big role before, during, and after a disaster. This kit will serve as our link to various agencies, barangays, and families so that information and assistance can reach them quickly,” said Emerald Guevara, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) head of Catarman, Northern Samar.
“Communication is often the issue during emergencies. The Ligtas Kit’s power set and satellite phone will serve as back up in times of power outage and signal downtime. This will also enable us to set up libreng tawag to help connect evacuees with their loved ones, which is one important way to comfort them amidst disasters,” Alex Arana, Surigao del Sur DRRMO head, said.
Ligtas Kit is part of PLDT and Smart’s wider commitment towards a #SafeandSmart Philippines through the continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on sustainable cities and communities.||
