DICT introduces GECS-MOVE ICT-based communication facility
THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications (DICT) is introducing a facility that enhances the government’s emergency communications capability and bridges the communication gap during disasters utilizing information communications technology.
In an information caravan with the theme “Bridging Disaster Response: Advancing ICT capabilities,” the DICT introduced the Government Emergency Communications System (GECS) -Mobile Operations Vehicle for Emergency (MOVE) Project in the region.
GECS is one of the flagship projects of the agency in partnership with the United Nations-World Food Programme and the Department of National Defense, explained DICT Deputy Director of the Infrastructure Management Bureau Gian Carlo C. Ignacio.
The GECS-MOVE provides information during disasters, activated during calamities for communications link and allows the public to connect with their loved ones. It may also be used during special events.
“Honestly when I joined DICT and I learned about the project, I found it exciting. I came to realize the government is capable and is doing something for the Filipino people,” quipped Ignacio who recently joined the government.
“After nuong Ondoy may mga times na nararamdaman natin ‘yung pagkukulang na
help na hinahanap natin from local government units and basically the national government.” (After typhoon Ondoy, there were times that help from the local government units and basically the national government was wanting). I think this is one of the steps that the government is doing to augment those lapses,” he said.
GECS Project Development Officer Yerzy Carbon said the project was conceptualized in 2016 after the super typhoon Yolanda experience where communications towers/lines bogged down and establishing communication link especially in affected areas was very difficult.
In any disaster, the perennial problem is communication gap which was the reason the GECS-MOVE was conceptualized with an integrated communication system and can act as stand alone facility, GECS Assistant Project Manager Engr. Gladys de Ocampo shared. The idea came from the earlier Government Emergency Telecommunications System (GETS) developed by the National Telecommunications, she said.
The GECS-MOVE is composed of a hub which is the core of the communication system housed in a six-wheeler truck, a dispatch or a pick-up and a motorbike that both gather and respond on the ground. The set incorporates all communications systems at par with that of the UNWFP, the global Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC).
The hub consists of the integration of the communication system and the integrated DRRM Information System which holds the information fed to the Office of Civil Defense and all the clusters of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC). The communications system is not limited to the regional level but interconnected with the national, de Ocampo explained.
Aside from providing communications link, it is capable of gathering initial information such as assessment of road situation if accessible, send information on casualties and take pictures, videos and more accurate visual information optics. The dispatch and motorbike send the said information to the hub which serves as mobile operations center manned by an incident commander.
If the communications system is down, the main capability of the facility is to provide data communications such as chat, email, text messages, she added.
As to reliability, the system is flexible and resilient. “So that if one fails, we could come up with another solution. That’s why we are equipped with various communications equipment such as UHF, VHF, IP radio and VSAT,” said de Ocampo.
There is a procedural protocol in place in the event the system will fail. It will first cater to responders or prioritize those with greater need. “We are capable as we have a stand- alone base station which will act as another cell site,” she added.
A demonstration of the GECS-MOVE prototype tagged as communication exercise was carried out in the city to familiarize the response cluster member agencies, test the applicability of the system, effective positioning in predetermined areas, and set up the facility.
Ignacio enjoined the support of agencies particularly the members of the response cluster to this project.
“I hope we can all work together to make this project as seamless as possible. It is not just for our own benefit as users but of course, the Filipino people as this could help in responding during times of disaster. And we look forward to working with you so that we can help our Filipino people whenever and wherever the need arises.”
All regions will be provided with a total of 20 sets of GECS-MOVE. The first six sets are expected to be operational first quarter next year in identified most disaster-stricken areas such as the National Capital Region, Clark, Batangas, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao after technical personnel would have been trained to man the facility, according to de Ocampo.