In Kapangan, Benguet, every family makes it home

Erick Abangley, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer II of Kapangan, Benguet.

Every storm in the mountainous municipality of Kapangan, Benguet, brought uncertainty. It now carries evidence of what preparedness can accomplish.

Kapangan, nestled between rugged terrain and terraced farms, is no stranger to danger. Landslides caused by heavy rains, frequent earthquakes, and unexpected road closures have long threatened to isolate entire barangays, cutting off access to aid, services, and vital information. For years, reaching remote communities—particularly those in signal "dead spots"—required physical travel just to deliver warnings. Critical time was frequently lost when it counted the most.

Today, that reality has changed.

Erick Abangley, Kapangan's Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, has witnessed firsthand how improved communication can transform vulnerability into resilience. In 2024, their town was among the first to receive the PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit.

“Consistent na nag-zero casualty or zero dead sa amin. Kasi at least mayroon kami yung Ligtas Kit, malaking tulong na yan para ma-meet natin yung zero casualty [rate] sa aming bayan. Yung unang-una po kasi wala po kami ng hotline noon. Kaya noong nakita namin at least nabigyan kami ng hotline. Yun ang mostly ginagamit namin for reporting, data gathering, and coordination with the barangays. Number one yung communication namin, coordination with the barangays, implementing our preemptive enforced evacuation, at yung mga megaphone for giving warnings sa community. Bago dumating yung bagyo, dapat tayo ay nakapaghanda na. Alamin natin kung saan yung mga hazard or risk areas.” ~Erick Abangley, Kapangan’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer

The PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit is a comprehensive emergency communications solution that provides dependable connectivity in times of disaster. The Kapangan DRRMO used the Ligtas Kit's mobile phone as a dedicated hotline, as well as megaphones, crank radios, whistles, flashlights, a portable power station, and a solar panel. It allowed responders to quickly coordinate, issue timely warnings, and continue operations even during power outages or infrastructure disruptions. The Ligtas Kit, along with its bundled emergency communications training module for beneficiaries, is part of PLDT and Smart's larger #KonnektedforResilience campaign, which promotes a culture of preparedness and resilience before, during, and after disasters.

To date, 75 Ligtas Kits have been deployed nationwide—from Batanes to Pag-asa Island to Jolo—giving communities the tools and the training they need to stay prepared and resilient.

 

For Kapangan, the shift began with something simple yet transformative: connection.

Communication has become faster, more organized, and more reliable since the Ligtas Kit was installed in the municipality's Emergency Operations Center. Warnings and advisories reach barangays sooner, allowing for better coordination and response. This has had a significant impact on communities that were previously isolated due to terrain and signal gaps.

Preparedness, too, has taken on new urgency.

Kapangan continues to experience several storms per year, with landslides posing a constant threat. Proactive measures, such as preemptive enforced evacuations and early warning systems, are now carried out more efficiently as a result of improved barangay coordination.

The kit's dependable power sources ensure that operations continue even during outages, and its communication tools help ensure that no community is left behind.

But, beyond the tools, Kapangan's success stems from a shared resilience mindset.

He believes that resilience begins long before a storm arrives, with community awareness, preparation, and participation.

This collaborative effort has transformed Kapangan from a high-risk municipality to one that consistently protects its residents, demonstrating that disaster outcomes can be altered with the right systems in place.

Across the country, PLDT and Smart continue to assist local governments in improving disaster preparedness beyond connectivity.

“Through solutions like the Ligtas Kit, we empower communities with critical communication capabilities that enable faster response and better coordination in times of crisis. We remain committed to supporting efforts that help build a safer and more resilient Philippines.” ~Roby Alampay, FVP and Head, Public Engagement Group at PLDT and Smart

Kapangan's story is a quiet but powerful reminder that resilience is built not only through infrastructure or technology, but also by people coming together—prepared, informed, and ready to act.

And in this town where storms still occur, resilience means more than just surviving disasters; it also means ensuring that everyone returns home safely every time.

Cebu's Biggest Legal Community-led Marathon Is Back—and It'll Pass Through Three Cities

Runners and fitness enthusiasts are preparing for a larger and more immersive marathon experience when the IBP: Cebu Tricity Marathon returns in October 2026 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

The marathon, which was previously known as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu Run, is currently in its fourth year and encourages both the legal community and the general public to participate in a race meant to inspire runners of all skill levels. New categories, enhanced goods, and a tri-city route encompassing Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay await participants, providing a dynamic course that challenges and showcases the region.

Beyond personal milestones, the event promotes wellness and societal responsibility. This year's edition broadens its reach by assisting additional beneficiaries, such as street dwellers and young cancer patients, allowing each kilometer ran to contribute to worthwhile causes.

Connectivity also plays an important role in improving the whole race experience, particularly for runners who log and share their routes. Doris Baguio Daño, commonly known as DB Runner, an ultramarathoner and content developer, is looking forward to the event.

“As a runner and content creator, staying connected during every race is essential. I can’t wait to document my experience and share every moment with my followers.” ~Doris Baguio Daño, Ultramarathoner and Content Creator, also known as DB Runner

The event is organized by the Young Lawyers Association of Cebu, Inc. (YLAC) in partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), which supports the marathon through its robust 4G and 5G network. 

 

“We thank Smart for the continued partnership and support. With strong connectivity enhancing communication and safety, participants can fully enjoy this bigger and more exciting edition of our IBP Running Event.” ~Atty. Michael Francis Hubahib, Vice President External at YLAC and IBP: Cebu Tricity Marathon Head Organizer

Reliable connectivity enables runners to stay informed, contact with loved ones, and record and share marathon milestones in real time. During the event, participants can receive exclusive Smart load deals and raffle prizes to enhance their race-day experience.

“We are proud to once again support this initiative that aligns with our commitment to fostering wellness and community. Smart is excited to be part of the participants’ marathon experience, delivering seamless 5G connectivity that helps keep them informed, engaged, and safe throughout their run.” ~Christian So, AVP and Head of National Key Accounts at Smart

Registration is open till August 31, 2026. Interested participants can find more information and updates by visiting the IBP: Cebu Tricity Marathon 2026's official social media accounts.

Smart partners with Acer for DepEd-compliant e-learning tools

 

 

Incoming students may now avail of a convenient and affordable gadget bundle to help them participate in their online classes this school year, through a new partnership of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Acer Philippines (Acer).

 

 

Acer and Smart's Webinar & Media Meet E-Learning Solutions. A gathering of educators and school administrators to discuss and share insights on how much the education landscape has changed, the future teaching and learning post-COVID 19 pandemics, and effective distance learning solutions and tools.

“We believe that e-learning is an important building block under the new normal – where education will be driven largely by digital tools and products. We hope that through this partnership, we can help students make a smooth transition to distance learning, and help make sure that no learner is left behind.”  ~Precy P. Katigbak, FVP and Head of National Key Accounts at Smart

 

Under this partnership, parents can avail of the Smart School Bundle, which consists of an Acer Aspire 5 laptop, and a Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi.

 



Under this partnership, parents can avail of the Smart School Bundle, which consists of an Acer Aspire 5 laptop, and a Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi.

 

The 14-inch Aspire 5 laptop comes with an Intel® Core™ i3 -813OU 2.2 GHz Base Speed with:

• Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz
• am 8GB DDR4 memory
• 128 SSD + 1TB HDD

 



The bundle also already includes a Windows 10 Home OS, and other features that can help students cope with their school requirements.

 

Meanwhile, the Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi can help students connect to Smart’s fastest Long Term Evolution (LTE) network across the country whenever they attend video conferences or submit their homework online.



 

 

Education will no longer be the same, we are entering into a new normal.

 

 

Adoption of various learning delivery option such as but not limited to face-to-face, blended learnings, distance learnings, and homeschooling and other modes of delivery shall be implemented depending on the local COVID Risk Severity Classification and compliance with minimum health standards, and conduct curricular and co-curricular activities involving gatherings such as science fairs, a showcase of portfolios, trade fairs, school sports, campus journalism, a festival of talents, job fairs, and other similar activities are canceled, except those conducted online. (The IATF resolved).

 

“We have invested billions of pesos in our mobile phone network over the last few years to and this has enabled us to serve our subscribers well, especially during this pandemic. At the end of the day, our goal is to make sure that our customers have a good experience with us, and that our network can help them achieve their goals in school or at work.” ~Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart

These gadgets are compliant with the Department of Education’s minimum specifications for devices for distance learning, as the country continues to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from students, this gadget bundle can also provide reliable tools and LTE connectivity to teachers, employees, and other professionals who are also working from home.

“It has always been our mission to enable Filipino students by providing them the tools that they need in their education. With this partnership, we hope to give them not only the means to do their school work, but also the connectivity through Smart’s network, so that students can continue to learn amid the pandemic.” ~Manuel Wong, Managing Director at Acer Philippines

 

Smart LTE continues to provide the best mobile data experience, particularly for video, to customers across the country. According to independent mobile analytics firm Opensignal’s latest Philippines Mobile Network Experience Report released in April, Smart surpassed the competition in most metrics, including Video Experience, where Smart posted a score of 55, well ahead of competition’s 39.8.

 

The Smart School Bundle is available at all Acer concept stores and distributors nationwide.

 

For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph.

About Acer
Founded in 1976, Acer is now one of the world’s top ICT companies and has a presence in over 160 countries. As Acer looks into the future, it is focused on enabling a world where hardware, software, and services will fuse with one another to open up new possibilities for consumers and businesses alike. From service-oriented technologies to the Internet of Things to gaming and virtual reality, Acer’s 7,000+ employees are dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of products and solutions that break barriers between people and technology. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.