unconnected.org and DICT Forge Partnership to Strengthen Emergency Connectivity in the Philippines
[From L to R:] Unconnected.org Technology and Operations Manager Jessieca Baris andCountry General Manager Benjz Sevilla, Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda and Undersecretary of Special Concern Christina Faye Condez-de Sagon.
unconnected.org and the lead for the Philippines’ Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed a Partnership Agreement to enable the use of unconnected.org and its partners' nationwide deployed connectivity hubs as part of the country's emergency response infrastructure during disasters.
Structured in accordance with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the ETC plays a crucial function in ensuring effective communication and coordination during disasters, as well as enabling faster and more efficient humanitarian response efforts.
Coinciding with the celebration of the National Information and Communications Technology (NICT) Month, in the Ceremonial Signing, unconnected.org highlighted the significance of resilience, that in times of disasters - no one should be left behind.
The DICT echoed the call for equipping emergency telecommunications responders with the appropriate tools and systems necessary to quickly establish connectivity where it is needed most, for information gathering, decision-making and public communications.
[From L to R:] Unconnected.org Technology and Operations Manager Jessieca Baris andCountry General Manager Benjz Sevilla, Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda and Undersecretary of Special Concern Christina Faye Condez-de Sagon.
As part of the in-country program under connectEMERGENCIES, the Connectivity Platforms are pre-positioned strategically across the Philippines for rapid disaster response by the ETC.
The programme is catalysed with funding from Internet Society (ISOC) Foundation to unconnected.org and will run for two (2) years, and is expected to complement the Government Emergency Communications System - Mobile Operations Vehicle for Emergency (GECS-MOVE), and other ETC assets and resources.
Schools will be strategic connectivity hubs, doubling as evacuation centers. Connectivity may also be established to support Free WiFi during emergencies.
The partnership also highlights the role of non-profits and other technical organizations in the community, especially on the forefront of disaster resilience, in the true spirit of Digital Bayanihan.
