Bataan inks MOA with Globe

“… the first province wide partnership initiated between a local government and Globe…”

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The country’s number one mobile brand Globe Telecom yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Provincial Government of Bataan during the launching of the Community Based-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program which aims to provide information and communications technology support to 237 villages in the eleven (11) towns and in this City.

The newly-created Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA) chaired by Charlie Pizarro , will be given the SMS (short message service) broadcast facility called Txt Connect which would enable Governor Garcia or the head of MBDA to have direct contact with local government and barangay leaders to help provide relevant and critical information during emergencies and disasters.

Governor Albert Garcia emphasized in his speech that the project would make the historic Peninsula a safer destination for residents, tourists and investors with the enhanced capability of communication facilities which reportedly is the first province wide partnership initiated between a local government and Globe, with modernized network mechanism distributing accurate information to help avert loss of lives and valuable resources during times of disaster.

He stressed the safety of the citizens of the province is our foremost priority at all times , especially when it comes to emergencies and disasters and our efforts in providing service will be enhanced with the partnership.

Garcia explained that the explicit role of the project is significant to the expected influx of local and foreign investments from Asian countries in the province’s six operational ecozones.

Ms. Yoly C. Crisanto, Globe senior vice president for corporate communications, said before the signing of the MOA that the Globe has always been a reliable partner in insuring that communities are ready, responsive and resilient in times of disasters.

According to Ms. Crisanto the partnership with the provincial government of Bataan enables the leadership down to the first respondents the ability to have effective communication, which is vital in disaster and crisis mitigation.

Globe, through its partnership with Weather Philippines will also conduct Weather 101 as well as a series of community based-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) trainings targeting municipal and barangay officials of providing basic knowledge on emergency procedures and basic first aid to the barangay officials who act as first respondents in the community.

While all barangays in the province will be given SIM cards that are included in the Txt Connect database for easy coordination they will also receive equipment for rescue efforts.