PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. have turned over Ligtas Kits to the three municipalities in Bantayan Island, Cebu. The coastal municipalities of Bantayan, Santa Fe, and Madridejos are among the first recipients of the group’s Ligtas Kits.

The PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit is an all-in-one package that aims to support Local Government Units and Disaster Response agencies with emergency communication devices, enabling them to quickly respond to affected communities in times of natural crises.

“The Ligtas Kit provides helpful tools for disaster preparedness and response, and underscores our efforts to innovate and leverage on PLDT and Smart services to strengthen efforts of LGUs and agencies to assist their people especially in times of crisis,” said Marylou Gocotano, head of Visayas Relations under Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

Packed in a protective hard case, each kit comes with 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.

Present during the turnover are the municipal mayors and their respective Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Head: Hon. Mayor Arthur Despi and Bantayan DRRMO Head Erwin Tinga of LGU Bantayan; Hon. Mayor Romeo Villaceran and DRRMO Head Jessie Estellore of LGU Madridejos; and Hon. Mayor Ithamar Espinosa and DRRMO Head Leah Escarlan of LGU Santa Fe.

The PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit forms part of the longstanding #SafeandSmart advocacy of the PLDT group, and its commitment to promote preparedness and immediate response through continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks.

This effort also underscores the commitment of PLDT and Smart to attaining the UNSDGs, particularly SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.