The Philippines’ largest integrated telco network PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc.'s (Smart) all-in-one emergency communication package #LigtasKit has reached the Siquijor Island to help the province gear up for future crises such typhoons, flashfloods, and earthquakes, among others.

The PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit seeks to support Local Government Units and Disaster Response agencies with emergency communication devices. The kit carries the following: 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.

“Coastal communities such as the Island of Siquijor have become more vulnerable to natural crises such as typhoons due to climate change. We at PLDT and Smart through our Disaster Resilience initiatives, we are able to support Siquijor’s disaster preparedness initiatives through our emergency communication package, Ligtas Kit,” said Marylou Gocotano, head of Visayas Relations under Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

“We’d like to thank PLDT and Smart for helping us out here in Siquijor. Just in case there would be typhoons, earthquakes and other disasters and crises, we are now better prepared because of the Ligtas Kit. This is a big help for the communities in Siquijor,” said Hon. Jake Vincent Villa, Provincial Governor of Siquijor.

PLDT and Smart’s long-standing #SafeandSmart advocacy highlights the commitment of the group to attaining UNSDGs, specifically SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which seeks to promote readiness and immediate response through continuous accessibility of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks.