Mountain barangays in Upper Pulangi District in Bukidnon are expected to be interconnected following the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) installation of a communication system that seeks to improve communication network in Malaybalay City’s blind spot areas.
The DOST-Bukidnon bared the installation of a communication system at Sitio Mahayag with an elevation of 817 meters mean sea level.
“Primarily, the project aims to enhance the communication network in the blind spot areas in the Upper Pulangi barangays of Malaybalay City,” it said in a statement.
"Furthermore, it hopes to engage in the four key areas of prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and recovery and rehabilitation for the eight barangays, namely: St. Peter, Zamboanggita, Caburacanan, Busdi, Indalasa, Mapulo, Kulaman, and Silae,” it added.
The initiative includes the construction of a 120-foot tower and the distribution of eight heavy-duty handheld radios for the barangay captains.
A training on Basic Radio Operation and registration with the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) will also be conducted.
The DOST-Bukidnon recalled that during the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo in 2012, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office was having a hard time conducting rescue operations in the area because of lack of communication system.
Road accidents, landslides, and other hydrometeorological hazards occur frequently in the area leaving the community at risk, including its most vulnerable sectors, it laments.
Upper Pulangi District houses 16,000 inhabitants, predominantly composed of the Umayamnons and Higaunons who remain vulnerable to natural hazards, basically because of its geographical location, it noted.
"We’re very thankful to DOST for the radios as it allows faster communication and response with CDRRMO during accidents and natural calamities. We’ve been requesting this assistance and finally it’s here. We’re already utilizing the radios in its full potential,” St. Peter Barangay Captain Rubencio Organiza said during the project monitoring activity.
Meanwhile, the DOST-Bukidnon also extended Basic Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) kits, and two-way handheld radios to Casisang National High School and Managok National High School, and conducted Basic First Aid and Emergency Response Training to its personnel.
The DRRM kits include a trauma kit, spine board, triangular bandage, rescue helmet, and padded brand splints.
“As teachers, we also play as mothers to our students and we feel the need to know how to keep them safe and alive, even on the most basic way during disasters and accidents. We thank DOST for assisting not just the far-flung barangays but the public schools as well,” Casisang National High School Principal Ms. Arlene Gantalao said.