DSWD to provide free WiFi, charging stations for public use during disasters

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide free Wifi connectivity and mobile phone charging stations in its Mobile Command Centers (MCCs) during emergencies in disaster-stricken areas.

Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokeswoman Irene Dumlao yesterday said that aside from maintaining communication between the DSWD central office and the field offices to ensure the continuous delivery of services and assistance to disaster victims, the MCCs “can help a lot of affected residents to connect with their loved ones when the power supply in their area is down.”

Dumlao said the MCCs which were deployed to DSWD’s 14 field or regional offices last May 28 are equipped with state-of-the-art satellite internet, gadgets and generators that can be used as a source of power supply and internet connection for communities in disaster areas.

Each MCC, she said, has a UHF Digital Handheld Digital Radio which can allow disaster response teams to monitor and respond immediately within the coverage through voice transmission and messaging, as well as a Wireless Access Points that can provide internet coverage in disaster-stricken areas or challenging terrain where wired connectivity is not feasible or restrictive.