Why it matters:
Reliable communications are critical in emergencies, when commercial power and networks may fail. The portable, all-in-one Ligtas Kit is designed to keep communities and first responders connected during typhoons, earthquakes, and other disasters.
What they’re saying:
“Building a disaster-ready Philippines requires strong collaboration across sectors,” said Roby Alampay, PLDT and Smart FVP and head of public engagement. “We want no community left disconnected when it matters most.”
“Uninterrupted communication is vital in disaster response and recovery,” said Paul Mercado, DICT undersecretary for Infostructure Management and Cybersecurity. “We thank PLDT, Smart, and Huawei for helping build a more resilient Philippines.”
Details:
Each kit includes mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, solar charging gear, power banks, SIM cards, and other emergency tools.
Kits come with an Emergency Communications Training (ECT) module to equip responders with skills to maintain communications when infrastructure is down.
The first recipients will be DICT regional offices in disaster-prone areas, enabling them to implement localized emergency communications plans.
Context:
The turnover follows a multi-stakeholder workshop earlier this year involving DICT, PLDT, Smart, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and others. The session helped regional offices in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao craft localized plans that will feed into the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP).
Between the lines:
DICT Assistant Secretary for regional development Maria Teresa Camba called the project “digital bayanihan”—a public-private partnership not only providing equipment but also building capacity through planning and training.
What’s next:
The PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit rollout is part of a broader PLDT Group program to use technology for disaster resilience under its #SafeandSmartPH initiative. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
