DICT deploys mobile teams to provide communications in typhoon-stricken areas

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has deployed mobile operations vehicles (MOVE) Sets to typhoon-stricken areas to ensure stable communications amid calamities.

In a public briefing on Tuesday, DICT spokesperson Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso said MOVE Sets and Emergency Equipment for Emergency Communications were sent to Regions 2, 3, and 5.

“Malaki pong tulong to. Para po ‘to sa mga emergency responders natin, [para] tuloy-tuloy yung communications. Para ‘to sa mga local government units natin [para] tuloy-tuloy po yng pagbibigay ng frontline service of government, especially during disasters po at para naman sa mga kababayan natin [para] ma-assure nila yung mga mahal nila sa buhay na ligtas sila, o kung halimbawa naman po ay mga may pangangailangan sila, tuloy-tuloy po ang pakikipag communicate nila either sa ating pamahalaan o doon sa mga mahal nila sa buhay,” said Paraiso.

(This is a big help. This will allow continuous communications of our emergency responders. This is for the continuous delivery of front-line services of our local government units, especially during disasters, and for our countrymen to be able to assure their loved ones that they are alive or safe, or if they need anything for example, their communications can be continuous with the government or with their loved ones.)

“Iba’t-ibang equipment (There will be different equipment) to give our responders unbridled communications with each other,” he added.

He also noted that the MOVSETs can be mounted on pick-up trucks, larger trucks, and will soon be available on motorcycles to be able to reach isolated or hard to reach communities.

“These are all mobile operations vehicles kung saan po andoon po yung mga monitors po natin. Namomonitor po natin yung restorations ng communications natin,” he said.

(These are all mobile operations vehicles with our monitors. We can monitor the restorations of our communications.)

Also equipped with Starlink and Kymeta systems for satellite-based communications, these teams can provide redundant data and voice communication systems to support disaster response operations, free Wi-Fi to assist evacuees and vital connectivity and communication support.

The DICT official said it has also purchased “Comms Box” units that will serve as access points to provide phone signals to locations that are cut off from power and communications. These devices can operate using their own power and can be deployed via helicopters to disaster areas.

“Makakaasa po kayo na ang inyong DICT po ay hindi tumitigil para po, not only to restore your communications but para po hindi maputol yung ugnayan niyo sa inyong pamahalaan at para po mahatiran kayo ng nararapat,” Paraiso assured.

(We can expect the DICT to not stop so that they can not only restore communications, but so that our communications with the government will not stop, and so that help can be delivered properly.)
—RF, GMA Integrated News