KORONADAL CITY—Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 12 received recently the latest state-of-the art satellite telecommunications and connectivity equipment as part of its continuing efforts to improve disaster-response operations.

Bai Zorahayda T. Taha, DSWD 12 regional director said that the technology acquired by the agency is a result of collaboration with the International Partnership Program (IPP) of the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA) produced by British mobile satellite company, Inmarsat.

“As we try our best to fulfill our commitment for prompt services and responses, we need to strengthen our access to timely and accurate information, especially during disaster. We are thankful with this newly-acquired equipment,” Taha said in his brief message during turnover ceremony.

Director Taha officially received the equipment from DSWD Central Office through Rodolfo M. Encabo, Director IV of Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB).

The turned over equipment includes satellite phones, manual and auto-pointing Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) terminals, and Global Xpress terminals, a powerful and highly portable satellite terminal which can provide high-speed internet connectivity even in remote locations.

“These various gadgets will be of great help to have an uninterrupted communication between our central office’s rapid emergency telecommunications team that is reporting to various response teams at various levels. Prompt communication means prompt response to disaster,” Director Encabo said.