Press release
[13 July 2017] PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications will provide
emergency communications support for the earthquake and tsunami drills in Davao
City and Metro Manila on July 14, 2017.
The drills, which will simulate a magnitude-7.2 earthquake
situation, will start at 9 a.m. in Davao City and 4 p.m. in Metro Manila.
Officials of Davao City and the Metropolitan Manila Development
Authority (MMDA) will signal the start of the city- and metro-wide drills by
using Smart’s Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS), which will send alert
messages to residents in the area informing them of the activity. To date,
Smart is the only telco to comply with Republic Act No. 10639, or the Free
Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, via the ECBS.
Smart will also deploy Smart Satellite solutions and LTE mobile
connectivity to ensure uninterrupted communications among response units. These
services will complement the free calling and charging services for the use of
earthquake and tsunami drill participants.
Leading the drill in Davao City are Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao
City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer and Central 911 chief Emmanuel
Jaldon, and key participating units. In Metro Manila, the event will be
spearheaded by the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(MMDRRMC) and managed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA),
the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and other agencies and stakeholders.
“I encourage all Dabawenyos to participate in the 1st Davao City
earthquake and tsunami drill on Friday, July 14, because this will help us
prepare ourselves in the event a tsunami or an earthquake hits Davao City,”
said Mayor Duterte. “It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone in our
communities and our homes are aware and knowledgeable of the things that should
be done in cases of emergencies. Preparation, which involves learning or
acquiring emergency skills, is critical in protecting ourselves, our families,
and our communities. Readiness is key to survival,” she added.
“We understand how important communication is, especially in times
of calamities. Our ECBS and satellite solutions, as well as traditional fixed
and wireless services, are deployed to affected areas as we recognize
communications as a form of relief,” said Ramon R. Isberto, PLDT and Smart
public affairs head.
As a member of the emergency telecommunications cluster of the
NDRRMC, Smart has provided communication aid during calamities, including free
broadcast alerts, free texts, calls and charging, and satellite solutions to
LGUs and response teams.
Smart is also a founding signatory of GSMA’s Human Connectivity
Charter (HCC), which aims to empower operators to improve their disaster
resilience through mobile technology.
Through its #SafePH advocacy and as part of its commitment to the
HCC, Smart promotes resilience using technology and communications. The
company’s disaster risk reduction initiatives have helped instill a culture of
preparedness among its partners and the general public. These include emergency
mobile solutions such as the Batingaw disaster preparedness app and the Agos
community aid SMS platform, as well as on-ground community caravans such as the
Tropang Ready educational series for the youth.
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