MOBILE cellsites, transceivers and drones will help the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) respond faster during emergency situations.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Andrew Alex Uy said Smart Telecommunications has agreed to let the council use its mobile cellsites as for emergency communication.
Smart has what it calls the Multi-Element On Wheels (MEOW), a mobile cell site mounted on a truck that is capable of text, call and data services.
Smart Operations head Allan Difuntorum said MEOW is usually deployed during elections.
He said there are three MEOW units stationed in Pampanga which the CRDRRMC can use.
The OCD also received a donation of 30 transceivers from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Uy said the transceivers will be distributed to the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in high-risk areas.
The CRDRRMC has also acquired two drones.
Uy said while military helicopters can be used for aerial monitoring, a drone is more convenient because it needs only a controller and a monitor.
A drone can fly low to monitor roads, rivers, and communities during disasters or weather disturbances. (Giovani Joy Fontanilla)