Dr. Cedric Daep, Head of APSEMO, and equipment from Ligtas Kit
PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) turned over a Ligtas Kit to the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) a week before Mayon went to heightened alert. The Ligtas Kit, which leverages on communications technology, will help the province prepare for and recover from volcanic eruptions and other impending disasters, part of a wider initiative by the telco group to help keep the Philippines resilient in times of calamities.
“We, at PLDT and Smart, recognize the critical role technology plays especially when any emergency or calamity hits. The Ligtas Kit will not only provide the hardware during a disaster, but it will also serve as a lifeline for the community. We aim to bring sustainable and inclusive technology closer to all members of the community through the Ligtas Kit and leave no one behind,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
PLDT and Smart turn over Ligtas Kit to APSEMO
The PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit is an all-in-one communications package that provides quick, emergency communications support to communities in times of a disaster. Each kit comes with the following equipment: power station, solar panel, rechargeable handy megaphone, crank radio, satellite phone (SAT), smart phone, Smart LTE pocket Wi-Fi, rechargeable flashlight, and whistle, which are packed in a protective hard case. Emergency communications training will also be provided to strengthen the capacity of communities in disaster resilience.
“Apart from the communications equipment in the PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit, we will also utilize the solar panel, which has a large charging capacity, in our risk mapping activities using our drone cameras, as part of our emergency preparedness plan. This can help us assess risks before and after a calamity, especially in areas that will likely experience power outages. We are grateful to PLDT and Smart for giving us the Ligtas Kit, which supplements our preparedness and response efforts,” said Dr. Cedric Daep, Head of APSEMO.
With sustainable and inclusive technology, the PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit considers the needs of everyone in the community, by providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might be excluded, including people with disabilities. The Ligtas Kit enables communities to immediately access communication aid even during a disaster.
The PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit is part of the PLDT group’s #SafeandSmart advocacy campaign which promotes preparedness and immediate response through continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions and activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks. This is also aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal#11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
