The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), with the support of the Australian government, has turned over emergency communications equipment to selected cities and barangays in Catanduanes, Agusan del Norte, and Eastern Samar to support their communications during disasters.
The Resilient Emergency Communications for Enhanced Disaster Response (REACHED) Project distributed a total of 206 essential communications equipment such as Starlink, radio systems, portable generator sets, power stations, access points, satellite phones and drones to 15 disaster risk reduction and management offices and select barangays in Virac, Catanduanes, Butuan, Agusan del Norte, and Borongan, Samar. The project will also be providing these offices with Smart Communications Inc.’s Ligtas Kits to enhance disaster response capabilities.
Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu attended the ceremonial turnover with representatives from the Australian government, the Office of Civil Defense, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Globe Telecoms, PLDT-Smart, and the World Food Programme.
“I am so delighted that the Australian Government could be a part of this really wonderful partnership. To help you in some way to deal with disasters that may come your way. In a way that is humane, kind, and caring. In a way where we can try and protect as many human beings as possible during crisis,” Yu said .
