PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continue to help build more disaster-ready communities with the Ligtas Kit. The Group recently turned over one PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit to the provincial government of Quirino.
“An all-in-one communications package, the PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit aims to strengthen the disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities of local governments, especially the most vulnerable ones, against calamities,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
Quirino, situated along the Sierra Madre Mountain range and near the Philippine Sea, regularly experience strong winds, torrential rains, landslides, and flooding.
With agriculture as Quirino’s primary source of income, from farming to livestock and cattle raising, the province has heavily invested not only in its socio-economic capital, but also in its disaster risk reduction and management efforts.
Quirino Provincial Administrator Carmen Jimenez shared more about the provincial government’s initiatives to strengthen their locality’s resilience.
“Our provincial government fully supports the livelihood of our residents engaged in farming and livestock raising. We provide financial and technical assistance to our farmers, particularly those who need assistance. We also aim for a complete value chain formation in Quirino, to add more value to agricultural products as these are processed into processed products,” said Administrator Jimenez.
In 2018 and 2019 Quirino was one of the finalists for the The National Gawad Kalasag award for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
“Before a disaster comes, we already preposition our heavy equipment in certain strategic areas to accelerate our response and rescue operations. We stock enough food and supplies and ensure that our health facilities and personnel are well-equipped,” shared Carmen.
She added, “In Region 2, we live out the culture of bayanihan – we aim for our initiatives to become and remain inclusive and collaborative. We do not just engage within our local municipalities, but we also work with other provinces, especially in times of disasters. We follow a whole-of-society approach, where everyone, no matter how big or small, can contribute to ensure the success of our DRRM efforts.”
The Ligtas Kit is part of PLDT and Smart’s wider commitment towards a #SafeandSmart Philippines and is also aligned with the UNSDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
