PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continue to bring the Ligtas Kit emergency communications package to more communities in the Visayas as part of the group’s efforts to support local government units’ disaster preparedness.
The Municipality of San Francisco in Camotes Island, Cebu, the City of Borongan in Eastern Samar, and the Municipality of Catarman in Northern Samar are the latest beneficiaries of PLDT and Smart’s Ligtas Kit, an all-in-one emergency communications package that aims to augment the emergency preparedness and response of local disaster risk reduction and management offices (DRRMO).
“As telecommunication companies, we at PLDT and Smart recognize the importance of communication during catastrophic events. Through the Ligtas Kit, we seek to strengthen LGUs’ efforts to ensure the safety of their constituents, highlighting our commitment to helping create safer and more disaster-resilient communities in the country,” said Hazel Amoyan of the PLDT Enterprise business unit in the Visayas.
Being situated in a typhoon-prone region, the local governments of Borongan and Catarman have always prioritized enhancing their disaster preparedness, especially in terms of their emergency communications strategies.
“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, Catarman MDRRMO Head.
“On behalf of the Borongan CDRRMO, we would like to thank PLDT and Smart for this Ligtas Kit donation. Rest assured that we will handle these devices with care and optimize their use in our drills to enable our barangays to become resilient in times of calamities,” said Engr. Jaime Voces, Borongan City DRRMO Head.
Each Ligtas Kit contains a power station, solar panel, rechargeable megaphone, crank radio, satellite phone, smartphone, Smart LTE pocket Wi-Fi, rechargeable flashlight, and whistle.
The recipients will also benefit from various capacity-building sessions, which PLDT and Smart will provide in collaboration with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF).
“Disasters can make you realize how important and valuable things are. This package may appear to be a simple donation, but this will surely go a long way in times of crisis. Thank you so much, PLDT and Smart,” said San Francisco Mayor Al Arquillano.
The Ligtas Kit underscores PLDT and Smart’s #SafeandSmart advocacy, which also aligns with the companies’ commitment to help the country attain the UNSDG No. 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
