Telco exec shares best practices on disaster preparedness in Thailand forum

IN time for the rainy season, an executive of Smart Communications Inc. shared with Asia Pacific policy makers and researchers how the telecommunications company has been using its technological capacity to respond to disasters and help Filipinos prepare for these.

Speaking in Thailand during the launch of a United Nations report on humanitarianism in the network age, Smart Public Affairs head Ramon Isberto said the company has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) for the co-location of more than 600 rain gauges in Smart’s cell sites for flood forecasting and early warning.

Partnering with the local developer community, Smart also helped create a free mobile application for the DOST and Pagasa website Project NOAH, which provides updated weather information and storm alerts.

Smart’s Infoboard service has also proved useful in emergency situations, Isberto said. A web-based text broadcast facility, Infoboard helps manage the gathering and dissemination of data within the community.

Isberto added that Smart has been working with the Corporate Network for Disaster Response for the Noah’s Ark Project, which aims to beef up the capacity of communities and local government units in high-risk areas to deal with disasters such as floods. The six-month program involves intensive trainings and workshops that culminate in a flood warning and evacuation drill.

Isberto shared Smart’s efforts to provide connectivity to three Davao Oriental towns whose telecommunications infrastructure had been significantly damaged by Typhoon Pablo in December 2012. Smart engineers worked with volunteers of Télécoms Sans Frontières and Vodafone Foundation to set up satellite voice and Internet facilities in the affected areas, thereby providing valuable communication support to search and rescue teams.