PLDT and its wireless unit, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), affirmed the group’s commitment to upholding disaster resilience with a display of their emergency response capabilities at the Eleven-in-One National Fire Brigade Competition organized by the Safety Organization of the Philippines, Inc. (SOPI) held on March 9, 2024.
“This is the first time that our volunteer quick response team has joined the competition. And on our rookie year, we showed that we have the skills to rapidly respond to fire emergencies. This is testament to our commitment to make PLDT and Smart the safest place to work in, and to help in the PLDT group’s broader goal to promote the culture of disaster resilience,” said Leo A. Gonzales, Vice President and Head of Property and Facilities Management at PLDT.
Held in ARCA South in Taguig City, the PLDT and Smart Fire Brigade joined three events under the Industrial/Commercial Division – Rescue Relay with Fire Extinguishment, Combination of Busted Fire Hose and Up the Ladder, and the Search for Fire Whiz/Fire Safety Ambassadress.
Composed of employee volunteers, the PLDT and Smart Fire Brigade were able to complete all the challenges and displayed the techniques needed to respond to fire-related incidents.
To prepare for the event, PLDT and Smart volunteers worked with the Bureau of Fire Protection – Palanan in Makati on the different skills needed to accomplish the tasks. Beyond preparing for competition, the workshops also upgraded the team’s emergency response procedures.
PLDT and Smart hold regular fire drills to reinforce fire safety procedures among employees. The PLDT Group, likewise, participates in the quarterly Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drills as part of its culture of preparedness.
PLDT Group also helps communities stay more resilient, especially those in high-risk areas. PLDT and Smart have deployed more than 50 Ligtas Kit packages across the country since its launch in July 2022. The all-in-one communications package brings quick, emergency communications support to disaster areas.
PLDT Group’s support to the programs of the BFP and emergency responders underscores their efforts to help the country attain the UNSDG No. 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting safe and secure working environments of all workers. This engagement, along with the Ligtas Kit, also highlight the PLDT Group’s wider commitment to promote disaster resilience among Filipinos, towards a #SafeandSmart Philippines through continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks. This is aligned with the UNSDG No. 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.