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GMA Network, govt agencies ink pact for IMReady safety portal
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Typhoon Yolanda showed more than ever that information can save lives, and in its aftermath, communications were as essential and vital as food relief.
The painful lessons of Yolanda and other disasters have driven GMA Network to collaborate with various front-line government agencies to create the IMReady digital portal, a website that consolidates and displays a wide assortment of fresh or even real-time data that citizens need to stay safe.
"Disasters can and do overwhelm even the best-prepared countries in the world. But as a media organization, we have the responsibility to do more than just report and raise awareness of what's going on," GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Felipe L. Gozon said at the official signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between GMA and five government agencies Friday, January 10.
Wealth of data
GMA Network will serve as the high-tech nerve center for critical situation data from sensors monitoring Metropolitan Manila and the rest of the country.
Information for the portal will come from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Philippine National Railways (PNR), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
"This may be the only website of its kind in the world," said DOTC spokesman Michael Arthur Sagcal, who was present at the MOA signing.
"Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng proyekto na pinagsama-sama lahat," he added.
"Malaking tulong ito sa amin sa information dissemination, lalo't magagamit namin ang mga bagong technology to update people," said MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino, one of the signatories.
"Masasabi agad namin ang mga problema sa sasakyan, halimbawa kung may oil spill sa kalsada, alam agad ng mga kababayan natin," explained DOTC Usec. Atty. Jose Lotilla.
The painful lessons of Yolanda and other disasters have driven GMA Network to collaborate with various front-line government agencies to create the IMReady digital portal, a website that consolidates and displays a wide assortment of fresh or even real-time data that citizens need to stay safe.
"Disasters can and do overwhelm even the best-prepared countries in the world. But as a media organization, we have the responsibility to do more than just report and raise awareness of what's going on," GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Felipe L. Gozon said at the official signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between GMA and five government agencies Friday, January 10.
"We need to empower people not only to respond better to disaster and emergency situations; we have to adopt a way of life that will prepare them for the worst. Now, more than ever, preparedness is the name of the game. And that's why we have IM Ready," he added.
Wealth of data
GMA Network will serve as the high-tech nerve center for critical situation data from sensors monitoring Metropolitan Manila and the rest of the country.
Information for the portal will come from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Philippine National Railways (PNR), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
In addition to weather information from multiple authoritative sources, the IMReady portal will also display GPS-based traffic data from Waze, the international award-winning mobile navigation app bought by Google in 2013.
Positive reviews
"Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng proyekto na pinagsama-sama lahat," he added.
"Malaking tulong ito sa amin sa information dissemination, lalo't magagamit namin ang mga bagong technology to update people," said MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino, one of the signatories.
"Masasabi agad namin ang mga problema sa sasakyan, halimbawa kung may oil spill sa kalsada, alam agad ng mga kababayan natin," explained DOTC Usec. Atty. Jose Lotilla.
GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon (4th from left) links hands with (L-R) GMA News and Public Affairs SVP Marissa L. Flores; PNR Gen. Mgr. Joseph Allan Dilay; MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis N. Tolentino; DOST Sec. Mario G. Montejo; DOTC Usec. Atty. Jose Lotilla; MRT Gen. Mgr. Al S. Vitangcol; and GMA NMI Pres. Edilberto I. Gallares.
Gozon was joined at the signing by GMA News and Public Affairs Senior Vice President Marissa L. Flores and GMA New Media Inc. President Edilberto I. Gallares, representing GMA and its subsidiaries.
Signatories from the government also included DOTC Usec. Atty. Jose Lotilla, MRT General Manager Al S. Vitangcol, PNR General Manager Joseph Allan Dilay, and DOST Sec. Mario G. Montejo.
Signatories from the government also included DOTC Usec. Atty. Jose Lotilla, MRT General Manager Al S. Vitangcol, PNR General Manager Joseph Allan Dilay, and DOST Sec. Mario G. Montejo.
The portal is still undergoing beta testing and is not expected to be live until February, as programmers test it and fix remaining bugs. — YA/HGS, GMA News
