Local government units (LGUs) are improving their emergency communication and disaster response with the help of the PLDT-Smart Ligtas Kit, a portable tool designed to address communication gaps in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
For areas that are remote and disaster-prone, reliable communication during emergencies remains a challenge. In Kapangan, Benguet, officials previously had to travel to isolated barangays to deliver updates, which delayed important advisories such as class suspensions.
“Knowing how and when to use the Ligtas Kit allows us to get the most from it. It’s not just about the tool, it’s about capacity,” said Erick Abangley, municipal DRRM officer of Kapangan.
In Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, the Municipal DRRM Office (MDRRMO) relied on the kit to send updates during a nighttime flood, which helped speed up rescue efforts.
“The Ligtas Kit helped us communicate real-time updates and manage rescue efforts more efficiently. Everyone was informed and ready,” said Monesa Ayao-Sale, MDRRMO head of Datu Odin Sinsuat.
The Ligtas Kit also plays different roles in each municipality. In Kapangan, the bundled mobile phone now serves as the 24/7 hotline of the Emergency Operations Center. In Catarman, Northern Samar, its solar power bank helps responders and residents charge devices during outages.
Beyond emergency use, LGUs have integrated the kit into community activities such as pre-disaster assessments, barangay-level training, and event monitoring. The tool has also encouraged community participation. In Catarman, residents in remote barangays now send photos and updates during floods, leading to earlier evacuations.
An added benefit of the kit is its role in keeping responders connected to their families during operations. “The ability for responders to communicate with their families has been very important and has significantly boosted their morale,” said Emerald Guevara, MDRRMO of Catarman.
Each kit comes with Emergency Communications Training (ECT), which equips responders with the skills to maximize its use. Ayao-Sale said the training has strengthened community awareness campaigns and improved responsiveness during emergencies.
PLDT and Smart have so far deployed 56 Ligtas Kits nationwide, supporting LGUs in their efforts to respond more quickly and coordinate more effectively before, during, and after disasters.