PLV to issue flood alerts with own Smart Infoboard

MANILA, Philippines - A heavy downpour resulting from a storm or a tropical depression usually has students and teachers wondering if classes will be held or suspended at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) in flood-prone Valenzuela City.

The city’s low-lying areas have formed a natural catch basin for floodwaters caused by overflows from the Meycauayan River.

But with the partnership between PLV and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) on the use of the Infoboard service, registered users will now benefit from a timely SMS alert on whether they should go to school, or just stay home.

Smart’s Infoboard is a Web-based communication tool for sending and receiving information via SMS , allowing the PLV’s administration to promptly and effectively reach its close to 4,000 students, administration and faculty members.

Smart and PLV officials formalized their partnership on the use of the Infoboard in ceremonies held during the university’s Foundation Day celebration.

Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian (3rd from left) and Smart sales and business development senior manager James Bernas shake hands to seal the partnership on the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela’s use of Smart’s Infoboard service. With them are (from left) PLV vice president Erlindo Dionisio and president Dr. Nedeña Torralba and Smart’s Karen Bagadiong and Mabelle Sy.