• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
To ensure faster communication, especially during calamities, the provincial government of Negros Occidental distributed on Thursday about P7 million worth of Starlink satellites and digital mobile and fixed radios, including accessories, to the 31 local government units in the province.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson noted that communication has shown to be a huge challenge for disaster management officials during natural calamities.
We will now have our own independent communication, Lacson said.
Nineteen of the 31 LGUs, including E.B. Magalona, Binalbagan, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Hinobaan, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra and Toboso, as well as cities Bago, Escalante, Himamaylan, Sagay and Sipalay, initially received on Thursday the Starlink satellite internet dish with hardware accessories, along with digital mobile radios with accessories.
The remaining LGUs have been required to submit the deed of donation and other pertinent documents, which are needed for the transfer of the communication equipment.
Lacson said the provincial government will initially pay the one year subscription of Starlink connectivity.
He also announced that three repeaters will be installed in three areas, including the command center at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.*
