The Integrated Bar of the Philippine (Quezon City) has teamed up with a communications company to boost the Quezon City jail videoconferencing equipment.
The aim of the initiative is to make hearing of cases proceed quicker and more efficiently. Apart from dispensing of cases speedily to cater to the needs of persons deprived of liberty, the additional equipment will decongest jails – a key concern for COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative supplied tablets, Smart LTE Pocket WiFis, SIM cards and paid AV time. The communications company also boosted its LTE network in the area to enable the Quezon City courts to conduct more hearings.
The partners were committed to the initiative as they were confident that equipment would significantly support the Jail Decongestion Project.
Donna Alagar, IBP-QC chapter president said, ““The Quezon City judges were also informed of this project, and they were so happy as they could have more hearings with the persons deprived of liberty and administer speedy justice.”
The communications company “were grateful for the opportunity to assist the IBP, BJMP and judges in providing justice to the underprivileged and needy, especially in the midst of COVID-19 and our efforts to build the ‘new normal.
They were looking forward to more partnerships like this, where they could enable and connect more Filipinos.
This one of the several recent efforts to use its data services to help front line agencies fighting the pandemic.
Earlier, support had been extended to health authorities in contact tracing by providing free mobile data access to StaySafe.ph, an online application that gathers health information from its users.
Over 500 smartphones pre-charged with relevant data load were also deployed to use on the entire Metro Manila area for RapidPass.Ph that allows health workers to go through quarantine checkpoints quickly.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) had earlier installed free Wi-Fi hotspots in new COVID-19 quarantine centres in Metro Manila. Through the DICT’s Free Wi-Fi for All Program, Filipinos can stay connected even in isolation.
DICT has initially installed free Wi-Fi hotspots in more than 30 COVID-19 monitoring and control centres as well as in five COVID-19 testing centres nationwide.
Connectivity at these locations is expected to aid in the exchange of information during this crucial time.
The Department said the boosted internet connectivity will allow health workers to more easily submit situation reports online.
It will also alleviate fear and distress among front line workers and patients by allowing them to keep in-touch with their families and loved ones.
