The provincial government of Misamis Oriental just received a Ligtas Kit, an all-in-one emergency communications package that contains a power set, satellite phone, smartphone, among others, from PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart). The Ligtas Kit aims to boost the disaster resilience capacity of the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) and to help protect more Misamisnons against calamities.
“The devices in the Ligtas Kit will be a big help to our disaster response and rescue operations here in Misamis Oriental. On behalf of Governor Peter Unabia, we thank PLDT and Smart for this helpful donation,” said PDRRMO Head Fernando Jun Dy.
For local disaster management officer Henry Floy Francisco, having stable communication helps expedite emergency response. “When Super Typhoon Odette affected the eastern part of Misamis Oriental, getting updates from the ground was difficult. Traveling to these areas to get complete information caused a delay in our response efforts. With the power set and satellite phone, quick and efficient communications have now become more possible in any situation,” he added.
The Ligtas Kit also contains analog tools like whistles, flashlights, megaphone, and a crank radio. Operations leader Kenn Marjhone Cabugason said, “The Ligtas Kit’s solar panel and power battery will enable us to respond to communities with no electricity. We can also distribute the whistles to our team members so we can still communicate and help each other no matter the scenario.”
The PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit is part of the group’s #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 initiative also underscores the PLDT group’s commitment to attaining the UN SDGs, particularly SDG No. 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.