Capitol partners with Smart for disaster preparedness

CEBU, Philippines - With information dissemination playing a big role in contingency measures during disasters, Smart Communications Inc. turned over yesterday to the Cebu provincial government the Infoboard service which aims to aid the Capitol in circulating advisories, announcements and warnings in times of calamities.

During the turnover ceremony yesterday, Smart introduced the web-based solution that offers various short messaging service (SMS) facilities with different functions and capabilities catering to the needs of a particular community.

Ramon Isberto, head of public affairs Smart, explained that the SMS updates are cascaded to residents in high-risk areas which would also depend on the hazards present in their community.

The service provides general information, advisories and announcements to pre-registered SMART subscribers while the company is now working to integrate SUN Cellular subscribers. Smart has been conducting trainings on the communication tool.

In turn, receivers can text feedback, comments, and suggestions to the sender for only P1 per message.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is the only administrator for the Infoboard and the content providers such as the Provincial Information Office and the League of Municipalities.  (FREEMAN)