Philippine Red Cross frontliners in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro ramp up additional capacity to serve Kagay-anons during the pandemic, through its partnership with PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc.
Smart donated several smartphones to the PRC-Misamis Oriental & Cagayan de Oro (PRC MisOr-CDO) chapter, to boost their communication efforts as they respond to queries and emergencies in their jurisdiction. This, after they opened their own licensed COVID-19 test molecular laboratory in CDO.
"In behalf of the PRC Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro Chapter, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Smart. The phones will be used in the molecular laboratory, for emergency response, and blood service hotlines. These will help us augment our communication facilities for information dissemination regarding COVID-19 testing and other services and programs," said Nancy Joy Tolinero, PRC MisOr-CDO Chapter Administrator.
“Malasakit is one of our core company values, and we hope that through this partnership, we can help our frontliners and the community in the fight against the virus,” said Maria Jane C. Paredes, Center Head and AVP, PLDT-Smart Group Corporate Communications.
Aside from the phones, Smart also introduced Smart Infocast to PRC MisOr-CDO. Smart Infocast is an SMS-broadcast solution that allows the subscribers in a community receive and send feedback wherever they are, through a text message.
“For Red Cross, communication is power, especially amid a pandemic. To minimize physical exposure, we must utilize technology like phones and Smart Infocast to continue the call for blood donation, and communicate with our stakeholders and volunteers,” said Jimmy Macababat, Red Cross – Misamis Oriental and CDO’s Chapter Service Representative.
Smart has partnered with the PRC for blood-letting activities as well as trainings on basic first aid and emergency response since 2009. This is part of PLDT-Smart’s #SafePH advocacy, which promotes preparedness and immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of services, mobile solutions and activities, communication as aid, and relief efforts to help communities mitigate disaster risks.
For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph
