Smart, Ateneo de Davao collaborate on disaster preparedness

MANILA, Philippines - Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) and Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) recently signed an agreement to formalize a partnership aimed at using cost-efficient wireless technologies to help reduce disaster risks and respond to calamities.

The collaboration has its beginnings in the SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards, Smart’s annual awards program held to recognize innovative wireless applications development by student-faculty teams of partner schools under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP).

With Smart’s support, ADDU further refined its search and rescue management system, which placed second during the 5th SWEEP Awards finals in 2009. The system, which was initially designed to help officials track sea vessels during emergencies more effectively, has since been expanded to track land vehicles as well.

Aside from the tracking device, the team headed by ADDU faculty Engr. Marloue Pidor, has also developed a mini-weather and river monitoring station to help gather data that might be useful in terms of developing an early warning system for flood-prone areas of Davao City.

The system is in its development phase, with ADDU working closely with SMART and concerned local government agencies like Rescue 911, Davao City’s 24-hour emergency response team, and the Davao Gulf Management Council and Coast Guard in testing the sea and land-based prototype and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for the automated weather station.

The collaboration between Smart and ADDU is part of the telco’s commitment to deploy its technologies in strengthening the country’s capability to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies under Kabalikat, Smart’s corporate social responsibility and community service program. 

Photo shows (seated from right) Ateneo de Davao University president Fr. Antonio Samson, Smart Network and Platforms Services Division regional manager Engr. Rodel Agustin and ADDU Physics department head Fr. Daniel McNamara signing the agreement. With them are (standing from left) ADDU Engineering faculty Engr. Marloue Pidor and Engineering and Architecture division chairperson Engr. Jenith Banluta and Smart Regional Control Center team leader Engr. Louie Perez.