TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Kalinga State University (KSU) Information Technology Department has developed an emergency response application, available for Android and iOS, to facilitate faster and more systematic responses to emergency incidents in the city.
Under the supervision of the university’s IT Department through their research adviser, Annie Durian, Students Charlou Ybarley, Yvonne Gaddao, and Gildy France Villanueva collaborated with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to develop the app.
The app allows senders to attach a picture of the incident and the partner respondents will get notified of the location with its geolocation tracking and communication channels feature. It requires only a low internet connection, making it accessible in remote areas.
In an interview with the developers at their presentation during the CDRRM council meeting on May 15, they said that the goal is to provide a universal contact system in emergency situations.
“Isu gamin ti napansin mi nga kurang ti Tabuk, awan ti maymaysa nga number nga mabalin tawagan. Saan met amin nga tao ket adda contact na kadagitoy agsasabali nga respondents,” they said.
During their presentation, PNP-Tabuk, as one of the partner respondents together with the BFP and CDRRMO, expressed interest in the app’s potential for crime-related incidents and mental health responses.
While mainly designed for calamity-related situations in Tabuk, the app is also open for other kinds of emergency incidents. The developers also plan to expand its scope with the city’s Smart City program assistance.
Not only will it help the people in emergency situations, but also helps the city to plan prevention measures with its data banking feature by gathering data on accident-prone areas and providing real-time and systematic time table.
“Everything is recorded and will automatically make a real-time data. This app serves as data banking,” said CDRRMO Head Jeremias Ammakiw.
Ammakiw expressed gratitude to the KSU developers and advisers for their initiative. He recognized the potential difference that the app can provide to improve the city’s emergency response services.
This collaboration was facilitated through the KSU’s Technology and Innovation Center headed by its director and Smart City Focal Eric Paloy.
Paloy said this is not the only system that will be introduced to the city. “Adu pay dadduma nga system nga ma-introduce for possible adoption ti city under Smart City program.”
The app, dubbed as “Emergency Response App” (ERA), is still being polished and not yet ready for downloading.
Aside from this app, the city government is also working on establishing a 911 hotline.
These initiatives are part of the city government’s effort to make Tabuk a Smart City. By Rio Bassong
