The municipality of Sta. Cruz, Marindique is the latest beneficiary of the Ligtas Kit—the all-in-one emergency communications package from PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart).
An island province, Marinduque remains vulnerable to disasters, especially storms, due to its geography. In 2020, three consecutive typhoons, Nina, Quinta, and Rolly swept through the province and affected the lives and livelihood of Marinduque residents.
“We recognize the important role of communications during disasters and emergencies. The PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit aids local government units by providing vital connectivity to residents, including those with disabilities, leaving no one behind,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.
Apart from communication equipment packed in a protective case, each Ligtas Kit will also strengthen community response capacities through an emergency communications training.
“Our municipality relies on agriculture and fishing as one of our major sources of income. We all know how disasters can affect these industries, with impacts rippling over the lives of our people. Another challenge for us is the distance between our barangays. The PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit will help us bridge this gap through quick and efficient communications technology. This will enable us to reach communities faster and immediately respond to their needs during disasters,” shared Municipal Mayor Marisa Red Martinez of Sta. Cruz Marinduque.
While the location of Sta. Cruz remains challenging, its Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) consistently finds technology-driven solutions in ensuring their communities are safe and in protecting their people, especially during disasters.
“We keep a centralized database where we record the number of residents per barangay and information that will help us determine their needs, enabling us to prepare ahead. Because of the communities’ distance, we have activated barangay-level emergency response stations to help our people faster when a calamity occurs. We have now moved down to smaller units and educated families in Sta. Cruz on what to do during emergencies,” shared MDRRM Officer Wilvir Imperio.
The Ligtas Kit also promotes sustainability by using refurbished batteries, as part PLDT and Smart’s ‘Balik Baterya’ initiative. The program is also part of the group’s broader #SafeandSmart advocacy which promotes preparedness and immediate response through continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks. This is also aligned with the UN SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
