Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año pushed on Tuesday for the use of high frequency radio systems as back-up for the modern communication lines as they can come in handy during disasters when the power supplies in the affected areas bog down.

He stressed the high-frequency radio systems are relatively cheaper than the more modern satellite phones and much easier to repair when damaged.

Año made this call in the wake of the incidents where the rescue and relief operations in Catanduanes were hampered by the cut in the communication lines during the onslaught of typhoon “Rolly’’.

With the communication lines unavailable, the national government had to fly in a satellite phone and its associated systems just to communicate with the provincial government of Catanduanes.

Aside from the high-tech communication systems like cellular and satellite phones, Año disclosed that alternative options like high-frequency radio systems  do not rely on cell sites and sophisticated relay stations.

He added that the high-frequency radios work on simple set-ups that ensure unimpeded communication with island or isolated local government units even during calamities.

The DILG chief noted that the acquisition of the back-up communications systems can be sourced from the calamity funds of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense or even from the LGUs themselves.

Año emphasized that having poor  communications systems during emergency cases can be the difference between life and death for the people in the affected communities.