PLDT subsidiary and leader in mobile, Smart Communications (Smart), is capping its nationwide ICT Bayanihan: DRR communications summit series with a forum in Tacloban City, Leyte.
Launched in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the communications summit brings together representatives from the public and private sector, to establish disaster communication protocols and to institutionalize rapid emergency telecommunication teams (RETT) during disasters.
The ICT Bayanihan: DRR Communications Summit is just one of the many initiatives under Smart’s partnership with the OCD. Just recently, Regions 4A, 6, 7, 10, Cordillera Autonomous Region, and CARAGA Region have already been recently #SafePH-certified.
“Our #SafePH advocacy underscores Smart’s responsibility and critical role in disaster response,” says Smart Public Affairs Head, Ramon R. Isberto. “We have taken an active role in strengthening the capacity of high-risk communities to prepare them, and help them recover from the impact of disasters,” he added.
Apart from organizing nationwide summits, Smart also supports the OCD through technology solutions that can help facilitate immediate response.
Smart, along with Voyager Innovations and Rappler, recently launched the Project Agos SMS service, which allows users to ask for rescue, search, or relief assistance via a text message. Crowd-sourced information gathered via the Project Agos SMS service is validated by the Rappler team and volunteers before being passed on to relevant government agencies. Rappler’s Project Agos and Ateneo’s eBayanihan are about to merge into one platform, which will soon be known as Agos, powered by eBayanihan.
Smart also offers a web-based disaster communications solution, Smart Infocast, to local government units and agencies, and disaster-prone communities to help with weather forecasts, and evacuation advisories.
It also developed the Batingaw mobile app for OCD-NDRRMC, a handy resource and reporting tool for nationwide disaster management. The app can be downloaded for free at Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
The company has also been consistent in providing Libreng Tawag services and satellite service support to affected areas during disasters.
All these initiatives reinforce Smart’s commitment to the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter.
“By providing communication as aid to vulnerable communities and local support units before, during and after disasters, Smart is able to push for safer conmunities. We are very happy with the outcome of the summits we have mounted together with the OCD, that have laid the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient Philippines” Isberto concluded.
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