PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have turned over a 'Ligtas Kit' to the City Government of Dumaguete in Negros Oriental as part of the group’s ongoing efforts to help build disaster-resilient communities across the country.

“We at PLDT and Smart remain true to our thrust of keeping communication services up even during natural calamities, especially for the LGUs whose response should never waver or delay. We are glad to contribute to strengthening the disaster preparedness and response of Dumaguete City through PLDT and Smart’s Ligtas Kit,” said Armel Malijan, Negros Division Zone Head at PLDT.

Underscoring the group’s #SafeandSmart advocacy, the Ligtas Kit aims to serve the urgent communication needs of communities in times of catastrophic events.

This all-in-one emergency communications package contains a power station, solar panel, rechargeable handy megaphone, crank radio, satellite phone (SmartSAT) with initial load, smartphone, Smart LTE pocket Wi-Fi, rechargeable flashlight, and whistle.

“We thank PLDT and Smart for this initiative. The Ligtas Kit will be very useful not just for the city government but also for the people of Dumaguete,” said Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo.

Apart from assisting emergency response teams, this kit also enables local government units and agencies to provide immediate communication aid to the public by deploying free calling and charging stations.

This program also includes capacity-building sessions, such as Emergency Communications training with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), to assist Ligtas Kit recipients in improving their disaster communications initiatives.

PLDT and Smart’s push for creating a safer and disaster-resilient Philippines aligns with the PLDT Group’s commitment to help the country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG No. 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.