The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region 3 is one the latest recipients of the PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit, an all-in-one communications package that provides quick, emergency communications support to people and communities in times of disasters and emergencies.
With representatives of the GSMA, the organization representing mobile operators globally, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) as witnesses, PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), turned over the Ligtas Kit to DICT Director for Region 3, Antonio Edward Padre, to extend quick, emergency communications support to the DICT. The turnover ceremony coincided with the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter (HCC) Asia-Pacific workshops held in Clark, Pampanga, and happened at the sidelines of the workshop delegates' visit to the PDRF Operation Center, also located in Clark.
Present during the turnover of the PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit to DICT Region 3 were (from left to right): Anthony Fernandez; Smart Senior Manager for Regulatory Affairs; Angela Nkonu, GSMA Assistant Operations Manager for Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation; Bryce Hartley, GSMA Senior Strategic Partnerships and Market Engagement Manager for Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation and Mobile for Development; Cathy Yang, PLDT and Smart FVP and Head of Group Corporate Communications; DICT Region 3 Director Antonio Padre; Dulip Tillekeratne, GSMA Strategic Partnerships Director for Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation; Rudyard Ranjo, Smart Center Head and AVP for Network Service Operations; Veronica Gabaldon, PDRF Executive Director; and Stephanie Orlino, PLDT and Smart AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management.
“Our experience has shown that communication as aid, just like food, water, and shelter, has an important role, particularly for LGUs, response agencies, and their constituents, during emergency situations. We are optimistic that the PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit will provide much needed connectivity, capacity-building, and last mile support to the DICT, especially in remote, disaster-hit communities,” said Cathy Yang, PLDT and Smart FVP and Head of Group Corporate Communications.
“On behalf of the DICT, we thank PLDT and Smart for this noble initiative. This handy communication bundle will have a vital role in our facilities and disaster response activities and our Government Emergency Communications System – Mobile Operations Vehicle for Emergency or GECS-MOVE project, especially in hard-to-reach areas. We salute PLDT and Smart, and its partners PDRF and the GSMA, in their efforts to promote the resilience of communities,” said Director Padre.
The PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit, will will play a vital role in facilities, disaster response activities, and the Government Emergency Communications System – Mobile Operations Vehicle for Emergency or GECS-MOVE project of the DICT, was turned over to DICT Region 3, as represented by Director Antonio Padre and Jonathan Raineir L. Solis.
Each PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit contains a power station, solar panel, rechargeable handy megaphone, crank radio, rechargeable flashlight, satellite phone, Smart LTE pocket Wi-Fi with initial load, smartphone, and whistles.
As one of the founding signatories of the GSMA HCC, Smart, together with parent firm PLDT, aims to provide increased access to communication, information, and humanitarian response to those affected by calamities, to help mitigate risks and loss.
The Ligtas Kit is part PLDT and Smart’s broader commitment towards a #SafeandSmart Philippines and is aligned with the UNSDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
