Smart urges private sector-LGU linkup for disaster preparedness

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications, Inc., in partnership with the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR), has been replicating the Albay province’s disaster management model to other LGUs via the Noah’s Ark Project, which was among the telco’s initiatives that were presented at the recent Disaster Preparedness Forum that was organized by CSR Asia.

Smart and CNDR have been building the capacities of vulnerable communities to prepare for, and deal with the impacts of disasters and the accompanying hazards, including floods via the Noah’s Ark Project.  The training program, which lasts for six months, includes intensive workshops with Dr. Cedric Daep, who heads the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), as resource speaker.  In partnership with the CNDR, it has established Noah’s Ark communities in the cities of Marikina, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete, Bacolod and Malabon. It is now training communities in San Pedro and General Santos, and the Province of Cebu.