Telco strengthens disaster preparedness initiatives

TYPHOONS Ondoy in 2009 and Pablo last year demonstrated how devastating weather disturbances can be. The magnitude of lives lost, properties damaged and livelihood obliterated necessitate a certain level of preparedness in order to minimize and manage the impact of these disasters.

Smart Communications Inc. on its part has been actively supporting initiatives that aim to improve the capacities of high-risk areas to prepare for and deal with disasters.

For one, Smart has partnered with non-government organization Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR) for the Noah’s Ark, a capacity-building initiative that helps local government units (LGUs) and communities that are highly vulnerable to flooding become disaster resilient. The six-month program involves trainings and workshops and culminates in a flood warning and evacuation drill.

From the LGU and community level, Smart hopes to bring this initiative down to the family and individual levels via the Pamilyang Ready, Pamilyang Panalo caravan.

“With this caravan, our message is that disaster preparedness must start at every home,” said Ramon Isberto, head of Smart Public Affairs Group.

The caravan was launched to the online community simultaneously through www.getreadypinas.com, a web-based resource site about disaster preparedness.

The caravan kicked off last July 20 in barangay Tumana in Marikina City, one of Smart’s two Noah’s Ark communities in the city.

The telco will be holding four more legs in other Noah’s Ark communities in the coming weeks — Malabon City, Barangay Banago in Bacolod City, Barangay Macasandig in Cagayan de Oro City, and Dumaguete City. The caravan will run until September this year.

During the half-day caravan, speakers will give tips not only on how best to prepare for emergencies but also how to survive during one.

Participants will be given a list of numbers of government agencies and institutions that will be able to provide much-needed assistance during times of emergencies and disasters.

Emergency services being offered to Smart subscribers will also be part of the disaster preparedness kits.

“With the caravan, we not only hope to equip these households with the knowledge on how best to prepare themselves for disasters but also equip them with the right tools. Pag ang isang pamilya ay ready, ito ay panalo,” said Isberto.