PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are reinforcing their partnership with the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) to advance disaster resilience through technology and collaboration.
 
At the core of this partnership is PLDT and Smart’s “Ligtas Kit” program which equips LGUs with all-in-one emergency communications kits. Each kit includes a solar-powered charging station and essential communications tools such as a Smart Pocket WiFi device, smartphone, and crank radio. The group also worked closely with APSEMO in mobilizing communication as aid to response teams deployed during the most recent typhoons. These tools are designed to ensure that vital communication lines remain open during disasters, enabling local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) offices to coordinate more effectively, especially in high-risk areas.
 
Albay’s DRRM system was recently commended by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who urged LGUs nationwide to follow the province’s institutionalized, proactive approach to disaster preparedness. “Albay is the model of disaster risk reduction and preemptive response in the Philippines. This is very important as the laboratory of a disaster,” said Remulla.
 
“PLDT and Smart’s collaboration with APSEMO reflects our commitment to empowering LGUs to respond effectively to disasters,” said Roby A. Alampay, First Vice President for Public Engagement and Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart. “We recognize the importance of supporting local governments in building safer communities, especially as climate-related risks continue to rise.”
 
Beyond providing equipment, PLDT and Smart also conduct capacity-building sessions for local responders, support emergency drills, and integrate digital tools to improve coordination and information dissemination during emergencies. These efforts are part of the group’s broader advocacy for inclusive, technology-driven solutions that strengthen community resilience.
 
As the Philippines faces increasingly complex climate challenges, PLDT and Smart remain committed to working with LGUs and national agencies to ensure that communities are better prepared, connected, and equipped to respond to disasters.