BONTOC, Mountain Province – This municipality is the first in Mountain Province and one of the only two municipalities in the Cordillera to receive a Ligtas Kit, an all-in-one emergency communication package that provides quick emergency communications support to people and communities in times of disaster.
Packed in a protective hard case, the PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit includes the following communications equipment: portable generator, satellite panel, satellite phone, smartphone, pocket WiFi, crank radio, flashlights, and whistles to serve the communication needs of Bontoc residents during disasters.
The emergency communications equipment and learning session aim to help equip communities with knowledge and skills on disaster preparedness and emergency response.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr., thanked the PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc., for choosing the capital town as a beneficiary.
He said it is the first time the municipal government is owning a satellite phone and a portable charging port.
He acknowledged the equipment is of big help in the emergency operations of the municipality.
He assured the municipality will take care and put into good use the PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit.
“Emergencies frequently provide communication challenges. In the event of a power outage or signal loss, the Ligtas Kit’s power supply and satellite phone will act as backups. This would also allow us to establish Libreng Tawag, which will let evacuees and victims of disaster connect with their loved ones and provide comfort during calamities,” Tudlong added.
Before the selection of Bontoc as a recipient of the Ligtas Kit, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Johanna Padaen accepted the invitation of the PLDT and Smart in partnership with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation for her to attend the Resiliency Training and several communication learning sessions.
Padaen, who is also present during the turnover, said the kit is very helpful in bringing the barangays of Bontoc together during calamities and facilitates easier access to requests to the national and regional government agencies during disasters.
Present to turn over the Ligtas Kit were PLDT-Smart Executive Head for Disaster Resilience Mary Jane Francisco, PLDT-Smart Stakeholder Management Specialist Abe Alombro, Smart Regional Customer Development-Luzon Kristopher Mamaril, and PLDT Customer Delivery Associate Engr. Ronnie Ngolab.
The turnover of the Ligtas Kit was held on Aug. 17 at the Mayor’s Office of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
The other recipient from the Cordillera is Kapangan, Benguet. – Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay and Shannon Anthea S. Pagaduan
