Authorities ramp up internet access in Nueva Vizcaya as May polls near
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — With so-called “dead spots” in wireless telecommunication common in this mountain-locked province, police and Commission on Elections (Comelec) officers have been working with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to speed up the installation of satellite internet facilities in these areas before the elections in May.
Police Col. Jectopher Haloc, Nueva Vizcaya police director, told the Inquirer in an interview at Camp Saturnino Dumlao here on Saturday that aside from the satellite facilities, police officers assigned in these dead spot areas will be issued handheld radios.
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The effort to solve the communication difficulties in dead spot areas is part of the election preparations of the local police and Comelec, said Haloc.
The areas with no telecommunication signals are far-flung villages of the towns of Alfonso Castañeda, Dupax del Sur, Kayapa, Villaverde and Kasibu, he said.
“Recognizing the unique geographical and infrastructural challenges, we have implemented strategic communication plans to ensure strong connections and responses in these areas. This will allow us to respond swiftly should the need arises,” he added.
Signal dead spots are areas with weak or no signal. These occur due to obstructions, distance from the signal source, and interference from other devices or environmental factors like thick vegetation or mountainous locations.
Unity walk
Haloc also led the poll-related unity walk, interfaith prayer rally, covenant signing and pledge of commitment on Saturday with about 100 election candidates and their local leaders and supporters at the St. Dominic Church in this town.
“This brought together candidates, officials and villagers to pledge their dedication to a peaceful electoral process,” he said.
Haloc said the same poll-related unity walk events have been done in 13 of the province’s 15 towns, except in Villaverde and Kayapa, which were scheduled for March 25 and March 26.
The unity walks are scheduled prior to the March 28 start of the campaign period for local bets.
Haloc also assigned two police officers to secure each precinct, deployed outside the polling venue, across the province.
The Nueva Vizcaya police also seized 23 guns in its enforcement of the election gun ban. Police stations also recorded 48 surrendered and 33 other guns given to them for safekeeping since the election period started on Jan. 12.
