|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the Philippines has announced its readiness to restore advanced technology-enabled essential communications in disaster-affected areas where commercial telecommunications infrastructure may be compromised. This preparation is part of the DICT’s broader commitment to ensuring uninterrupted communication during emergencies, which is crucial for coordinating disaster response efforts.
The government aims to improve resilience against natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, and landslides. Advanced technology solutions will support mitigation efforts and enhance disaster risk reduction and management.
Central to this initiative is the Government Emergency Communications System-Mobile Operations Vehicle for Emergency (GECS-MOVE), a state-of-the-art, rapidly deployable emergency communications system. The DICT has strategically positioned GECS-MOVE units across the country, ready to be deployed to areas affected by natural disasters or other emergencies.
GECS-MOVE is designed to provide critical information and communications technology (ICT) support during calamities. This system ensures that government agencies can maintain effective communication and coordination, even when traditional infrastructure is down. The GECS-MOVE units are equipped with advanced technology to guarantee uninterrupted connectivity in the most challenging environments.
Each GECS-MOVE unit consists of several components that work together to provide comprehensive communication support. The core of the system is a mobile operation and coordination centre housed in a custom-made, heavy-duty truck. This hub is equipped with an integrated communications system that can operate independently, providing a reliable base for disaster response operations.
In addition to the mobile hub, the GECS-MOVE system includes an off-road dispatch vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a self-reliant connectivity hub that can extend the communication reach of the central hub, ensuring that even remote areas remain connected. To further enhance its capabilities, the system also includes an off-road motorcycle equipped with communication equipment, designed to navigate difficult terrains and reach isolated communities. The GECS-MOVE units are also equipped with heavy-duty drones, which can be deployed to extend the system’s connectivity reach even further, particularly in areas that are difficult to access by land.
The cutting-edge technology integrated into the GECS-MOVE units includes satellite communication and radio systems. These features ensure that the units can maintain connectivity even when the local telecommunications infrastructure is completely down. This capability is critical in disaster-hit areas, where maintaining communication lines can mean the difference between life and death.
Recently, the DICT’s Regional Office 6 showcased a GECS-MOVE unit in Antique province to demonstrate its capabilities to local disaster risk reduction and management offices (LDRRMOs) and other stakeholders. The demonstration highlighted the importance of reliable and effective communication systems in disaster preparedness and response.
During the orientation and demonstration, Jimuel Española, Officer-in-Charge of the DICT-6 Technical Operations Division, stressed the significance of robust communication systems, internet connectivity, and interoperability in both disaster preparedness and response. He noted that GECS-MOVE is a crucial tool in ensuring that government agencies can effectively coordinate their efforts during emergencies.
Local officials, including Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Broderick Train, acknowledged the value of the GECS-MOVE system in enhancing disaster response capabilities. Train noted that the system would be especially beneficial in situations where electricity and mobile services are disrupted, which is common during calamities. With the deployment of GECS-MOVE, authorities can ensure that coordination and response efforts continue even in remote and inaccessible areas.
OpenGov Asia reported that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasised the administration’s progress in infrastructure, focusing on enhancing digital and communications systems, with a commitment to expanding bandwidth capacity by 2026.
The DICT’s GECS-MOVE system represents a significant advancement in the Philippines’ disaster response capabilities. By ensuring that communication lines remain open during emergencies, the DICT is helping to safeguard communities and improve the effectiveness of disaster response efforts across the country.
