MABALACAT CITY – Fiber optic and internet business mogul Dennis Anthony Uy underscored the need for timely and accurate information during calamities such as the recent Typhoon “Karding” that battered North and Central Luzon.
During the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Converge ICT Solutions, the Mabalacat City government and Clark Development Corporation (CDC), the founder and CEO of Converge emphasized the use of technology in saving lives and properties.
“The recent Typhoon Karding showed how technology is so important. We can see that technology can also save a lot of lives because of advance information, monitoring, and public advisory. With technology, we can see every minute what is taking place in our communities,” Uy said in his speech.
“We were able to see how fast the typhoon progressed and anticipate safety precautions. While there was still damage caused, it was minimized and a lot of lives were saved,” he added.
Uy, however, said that while some of the facilities of Converge were also affected in hard-hit areas like Gapan, Nueva Ecija, the fastest growing internet and pure fiber provider said that they “saw which areas were hit hard and were able to mobilize our restoration efforts. This is just one of the many benefits of technology and digitalization”.
As an example of disaster-proofing effect of technology, he cited the Smart City and Command Center that Converge built several years ago in Clark Freeport where fiber optics and cabling are all underground.
“This typhoon hindi tayo affected sa Clark because of 100 percent underground (cabling). Our backbone in Converge nationwide is usually 100 percent underground,” Uy said.
With over 563,000 kilometers of fiber optic assets nationwide, Converge has one of the most extensive fiber networks in the Philippines. It is the first to run an end-to-end pure fiber internet network in the country.
On Thursday, Uy signed the MOU for the provision of free internet connection and learning tablets for Aeta schoolchildren of Mabalacat City under the Pagsasarili Program.
The provisions are part of CSR program initiated by Converge Chairman Jose De Jesus and backed by Uy. It is supported by CDC, PAGCOR, OB Montessori and Bloomberry Resorts Corporation.
