PIA partners with Globe for SMS broadcast facility

Thursday, February 2, 2012

THE Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the official information arm of the government, partners with Globe Telecom for a Short Message Service (SMS) broadcast facility that aims to use text messaging as a faster means to disseminate relevant advisories, news and updates nationwide.

“The use of text messaging as a tool for keeping our citizenry informed and aware is timely, given that cellphones are now the most pervasive form of communication,” said lawyer Jose A. Fabia, PIA director general.

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“Our partnership with Globe Telecom shows that the government and the private sector can work together and maximize resources to deliver public service to Filipinos from all walks of life,” he added.

The PIA’s Text Blast is part of the agency’s initiatives to automate and expedite its operations, specifically the dissemination of advisories, news and warnings to national and local government officials, police and military personnel, barangay officials and media nationwide.

The PIA will utilize the TxtConnect service of Globe Business, the unit within Globe that services corporations, as well as small-and-medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) with information and communication technology (ICT) services that match a company’s needs for cost efficiency, security, mobility, IT integration and reliable connectivity.

TxtConnect enables companies, schools and other organizations to transmit high volume of text messages to a pre-registered group of recipients, up to a thousand mobile users, in one sending. It is better than doing individual text messaging as it is more efficient and offers reduced SMS rates.

As a web-based service, TxtConnect can be accessed anywhere at any time and it is easy to manage, as it allows users to view transactions and summary reports online to know message recipients.

“We are honored to be part of this worthwhile initiative of the PIA which demonstrates a practical and relevant use of our ICT services to keep our citizens informed, warn them of impending disasters and even potentially save lives,” said Yoly Crisanto, head of Corporate Communications of Globe Telecom.

Aside from the PIA, Globe also has partnerships with other government agencies and non-government organizations, using ICT services for a variety of initiatives, such as the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Pagasa and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (PR)