Press Release
SMART, PDEA forge partnership towards a drug-free nation
No Fear Anti-Drug Campaign Program launched
[August 22, 2008/ Manila] - Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), formalized its partnership towards a drug free nation with the recent launch of the SMART-PDEA Text Cast Project at the PDEA Activity Area at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City in the presence of media partners and officers from SMART and PDEA.
“The project is anchored on the popularity of Short Messaging Service (SMS) or text messaging as a medium of communication,” said PDEA Director General/Senior Undersecretary Dionisio R. Santiago. “With the activation of the SMART-PDEA Text Hotline 700-PDEA (700-7332), the common mobile phone is transformed into a lethal weapon against drug lords and their minions. Thank you SMART for being the first to answer our request for a means to gather tips and feedback to complement and enhance our anti-drug campaign.” Santiago added.
Through SMART’s Infoboard service and broadband connectivity via SmartBro, the SMART-PDEA Text Cast Project, allows concerned citizens to report drug-related information confidentially with just a few clicks on their SMART or Talk ‘N Text phones. Subscribers only have to key in PDEANCR <space> FEEDBACK <space> TIP OR MESSAGE and send to 700PDEA (700-7332).
Director General Santiago expressed optimism that the undertaking will open up more avenues to encourage the active participation of the community in the national anti-drug campaign.
Citing the Project’s tag line “Don’t let drugs control your life, your family, your community. Be SMART,” PDEA Regional Director PSSUPT Benjamin B. Magalong expressed enthusiasm in the project. “This will help in PDEA’s overall scheme of drug prevention.” Magalong said.
The SMART-PDEA Text Cast Project is a secure means for subscribers to provide vital information about illegal drug activities in their locality. It is web-based and serves to incorporate the large subscriber base of SMART into the intelligence network of PDEA. The project will have its initial implementation for two (2) months in the Metro Manila area, under the operational jurisdiction of the PDEA Metro Manila Regional Office (MMRO), led by Magalong. PDEA and SMART will make the necessary adjustments before implementing the project on a national basis.
“We have been active with social responsibility projects and we are pleased to be part of PDEA’s mission to stop drug abuse and to be PDEA’s long-time partner.” said SMART Head for Sales & Business Development Perry V. Bayani. “We are pleased to introduce another means to empower citizens towards a drug-free Philippines.” he added.
The SMART Infoboard is a web-based group broadcast service that offers SMS facilities with different functions and capabilities designed to suit the needs of different 'communities' such as schools, NGOs, LGUs, socio-civic organizations and the like. The Infoboard is the fastest, most affordable and most reliable means to send crucial information to ‘community members’, as well as collect feedback from them. SmartBro is the wireless internet service offered by SMART subsidiary Smart Broadband, Inc.
