Smart and GSMA promises to bolster PH disaster preparedness, intros Ligtas Kit!

Smart and GSMA collaboration promises to strengthen PH disaster preparedness.

PLDT, Smart, and GSMA

Smart and GSMA to elevate PH's disaster response!

Smart Communications and the Global System for Mobile Communication, the organization behind mobile operators in the world are closely working together to drive police that would promote disaster preparedness at the national level.

The GSMA is proud to support PLDT and Smart’s work on disaster resilience in the Philippines, said Kimberly Brown, Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation, Mobile for Development, GSMA.

During the GSMA's Humanitarian Connectivity Charter (HCC) Asia-Pacific workshop in Clark, Pampanga, there was a number of vital stakeholders, including PLDT and Smart were brought together to tackle the role of mobile in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery programs.

We are pleased to work with the GSMA in advocating for a culture of disaster resilience in the Philippines, said Cathy Yang, PLDT First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications.

At a time when the impact of disasters is heightened by climate change, we as network operators play a vital role in providing communications support before, during, and immediately after calamities and emergencies, keeping disaster-affected communities connected. In close collaboration with global partners like the GSMA and key industry stakeholders from the government and the private sector, we can further enhance the country's disaster resilience and help shape policies and protocols to ensure more efficient communications to the public whenever disasters strike, she added.

Local and foreign delegates have attended the two-day global forum. These delegates include representatives from the DICT and PDRF (Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation) along with representatives from international non-government organizations and mobile network operators (MNOs) from across the region.

In case you don't know yet,  when the GSMA's HCC was introduced in 2015, Smart was one of the first operators worldwide to embrace its principles. The HCC is a cooperatively developed set of best practices and guidelines for mobile network operators (MNOs) on how to anticipate, address, and quickly recover from unexpected events. Over 160 mobile phone companies that operate in 112 countries have signed the HCC since its creation.

Smart's Multi-Element-On-Wheels (MEOW) to boost connectivity on the field

Previous GSMA HCC annual reports have also mentioned Smart's risk mitigation campaigns, such as the Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS), which disperses location-and hazard-specific alerts. Back in March 2017, Smart, an innovator in Asia and one of the world's early users of emergency cell broadcast ended up being the first telco in the Philippines to implement ECBS.

Smart's alliance with the GSMA and aid for the HCC align with the PLDT Group's #SafeandSmart advocacy, which prioritizes network resilience, non-stop availability of communication services, mobile solutions, and relief assistance to mitigate disaster risks in communities.

PLDT, Smart Ligtas Kit

Also, during the event, PLDT, Smart displayed its Ligtas Kit. A traveling bag which comprises of high capacity 569 WHr power stations for charging, 65W Solar panel, Megaphone with recording, mobile phone, satellite phone, 4G pocket WiFi, Radio, Solar powered flashlight, and a whistle.

These items are particularly helpful for affected communities to charge their devices, communicate with their loved ones, or simply call for emergencies when needed, especially when there's literally no signal using the satellite phone.

These activities highlight PLDT and Smart's commitment to achieving UNSDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.