Fisherfolks in the coastal areas of the country can look forward to a safer year ahead with the development of ISDApp – a community app that allows them to access useful weather information to help them plan their trips to the sea, even without a smartphone or an internet connection.
Developed by iNON IT Solutions and powered by Globe, ISDApp collects localized weather data, converts it to simplified weather forecasts, and sends it to the registered mobile numbers of fisherfolks via scheduled daily SMS, especially during the crucial hours before they go out to sea.
The app was jointly launched by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute and Globe, with Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos, Scientist IV of NFRDI, serving as focal person.
In partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region IV-A, the local government of Sariaya in Quezon province was selected as the pilot community for the project, which will run in the first quarter of the year.
“With the country having more than 20 typhoons and tropical depressions every year, we are hopeful that ISDApp will serve as an added tool to aid our fishermen before they set sail. The technology will inform them of the latest weather data and the timely sending of alerts can help ensure their safety,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer.
To use the app, a community leader who will act as the community controller installs ISDApp on his/her smartphone which then generates a unique ISDApp community number.
Fisherfolks in the area can then register via SMS for free and start receiving weather forecasts several times a day, a few hours before they sail to the sea.
The ISDApp weather forecast includes the date and time of forecast, a simplified explanation of the weather condition, and some tips or reminders such as:“Kabayan, may paparating na masamang panahon. Mangyari tayo’y mag ingat lamang sa ating pagpapalaot. Tandaan, ito ay gabay lamang para sa mas ligtas at masaganang pangingisda. Kung may katanungan, mag-text o tumawag sa iyong ISDApp Community Leader. Ingat!”
“Information dissemination is very important in rural areas especially to our fishing communities. With their limited access to sources of information and resources to announce relevant advisories, ISDApp will provide weather forecasts and data in real-time which will be made accessible to underserved communities. In light of the recent typhoons, the importance of timely alerts is very apparent now more than ever,” said Regional Director Sammy Malvas of BFAR Region IV-A.
The pilot community which will use ISDApp covers 300 fisherfolks from seven coastal barangays in Sariaya.
“Napakahalagang aplikasyon para sa mga mangingisda dahil kada apat na oras nagpapadala ito ng paalaala kung may parating na masamang panahon. Bago umalis ng bahay para lumaot, makakapaghanda ang mga mangingisda tulad ko kung ano ang dapat gawin,” said Nonilo Rate, a fisherfolk from Barangay CastaÙŽñas.
