Davao Oriental Governor pushes for long-term emergency communication system

Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang is pushing for the establishment of a long-term and efficient emergency communication system that will further strengthen disaster preparedness and response in the province. During the courtesy call of the Kabalikat Civicom — a volunteer rescue group operating in Davao Oriental Gov.

Dayanghirang stressed the importance of having a good communication system before, during, and after a disaster or emergency. He said there is really a need to provide and maintain reliable communication especially in times of emergencies and disasters.

Dayanghirang asserted that he wants to fast track the establishment of a communication system dubbed as Province-wide Communication Network to be facilitated by the Provincial Law Enforcement Communication System and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). Operating under ‘Very High Frequency’, the said system uses a ‘repeater backbone’ communication system that consists of three radio repeaters as transmitter and a base radio in every municipality and one at the command station at the Provincial Capitol.

“Using this system, communication at very long distances using merely hand-held radios would be possible without any problem,” said PLECS Operator Rene Leopardas.  While the province has been a long-time Gawad Kalasag Awardee for being one of the best disaster-prepared provinces in the region, Governor Dayanghirang emphasized the need for further strengthening Davao Oriental’s disaster management system, especially now that it is aggressively promoting its tourism sector. Considering that the province remains prone to natural disaster, as evidenced by Super Typhoon Pablo and Low Pressure Area Agaton in 2012 and 2014, respectively, the governor said he wants Davao Oriental to become fully equipped with a province-wide communication network, while current investments in equipment and facilities in disaster response and preparedness underpin efforts to strengthen the critical communication system.  (with Karen Lou Deloso, PIO, Davao Oriental)

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St. Camillus Hospital of Mati director Fr. Marven G. Ruyeras, MI, recently re-launched the Lay Camillian Family (LCF) of Mati and invited all those interested to join because LCF will no longer be exclusively for St. Camillus Hospital employees only but also for anybody who wishes to be part of the Camillian spirituality and mission to the sick and the marginalized people of God. (More next issue)