ALANGALANG, Leyte, Nov. 18 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday said the government is working on a basic communication system that will not be dependent on external power sources or on cellular networks.
In an interview with media here, the President said he had asked the Department of Science and Technology to draw up a plan for the system.
“I’ve been asking the DOST to come up with a communication system … something that is not as dependent on external power sources, something that does not rely on cellular networks. Something we can rely on 24/7 regardless of what the weather conditions are,” he said.
The lack of power and communications caused by super typhoon Yolanda had hampered the delivery of relief goods and services to some affected areas.
The President said the government is trying to improve its capabilities in dealing with disasters.
“Perhaps, we are trying to improve all the processes. We want to be able to respond faster, more efficiently and more completely,” the President said.
On the other hand, the Chief Executive said he cannot afford to despair at this time because it may rub off on the people.
Instead, he said he would rather have the people practice bayanihan, the Filipino trait where communities help each other.
The President also said his Cabinet had been taking extra roles, including Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya becoming transport logistics czar, and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz being the point person for all the donations, whether in kind, in cash, and in physical services.
“So many members of the Cabinet are actually undertaking more than their portfolio and nobody’s complaining,” he said. (PNA)