The local government unit purchased five units of satellite phones in order to have unhampered communication lines during calamities or even during the conduct of big events when cellphone signal is jammed.

Mayor Nelson Legacion, in an interview on Wednesday, said the acquired communication tools are very important when regular contact lines are not working or blocked. “Because of these [satellite phones], I see the opportunity that the problem in communication when lines are busted will finally be resolved,” he said.

The mayor cited as example the difficulties being encountered by the Incident Command Post (ICP) when communication lines are not working, like during the conduct of Peñafrancia fiesta when cellphone communication is shut down for security purposes. ICP is where the Incident Commander operates during response operations.

Satellite phones use satellites for communication (receiving and sending signals) instead of terrestrial lines. Ideally, these phones enable communication anywhere around the world irrespective of location.

The five satellite phones have been assigned individually to the city mayor, the city vice mayor, public safety officer, the Communication Center officer, and the head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. (PNA)