The recent floods and relief operations did not only bring about the best among people willing to help those most in need, they also showed how new technologies of information, communication, and social media can be best used and made most relevant in the form of a modern disaster response management system.

E-Ugnay is based on the synergy of mobile phone, Internet and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies, to more efficiently manage relief operations on a nationwide basis, especially in connection with the recent monsoon floods. With this new technology, the new system is able to provide a direct link between donors and beneficiaries.

Equipped with mobile phones powered by e-Ugnay and with built-in GPS, reporters gather information from the ground. Partner organizations send disaster assessment forms and requests for relief goods and information, including photos, through a mobile phone application that is then consolidated through an Internet-based application. The system then tracks down the number and type of relief goods needed in a particular location, as well as facilitate their delivery on real time at the SLB website.

Tagged with the geographical location of the user, the data sent to the SLB server through a mobile phone can be organized geographically and displayed in a map at the website, which offers live video and audio streaming.

As related by former SLB Executive Director, Ismael Jose Chan-Gonzaga, SJ, the development of e-Ugnay was based on the experience of an alumnus of the Ateneo de Manila University, Sergio Gregorio, who used Google maps for relief operations during the 2009 Ondoy and Pepeng floods. SLB leaders realized that without a web portal to consolidate information generated through mobile phones, it was impossible to achieve timely coordination and action.

E-Ugnay's current partner hubs are: Saint Paul University-Tuguegarao City; Lourdes College-Cagayan de Oro City; Marikina People Power Volunteers-Marikina City; Ateneo de Manila University-Quezon City; Ateneo de Naga University-Naga City; Aquinas University-Legazpi City; Diocesan Pastoral Council-Catarman; Social Action Center-Diocese of Borongan; Holy Infant College-Tacloban City; Ateneo de Iloilo-Iloilo City; Sacred Heart School-Cebu City; Father Saturnino Urios University-Butuan City; Xavier University-Cagayan de Oro City; Social Action Center-Archdiocese of Cotabato; Ateneo de Zamboanga University-Zamboanga City; and Ateneo de Davao University-Davao City.

Formed in the wake of the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino in 1983, SLB has been active in all elections since 1986, working for a more responsible electorate. For the past eight years, it has served as a primary channel for donations to disaster response operations. Recently, SLB added psycho-social counseling services, including post-traumatic stress debriefing and processing, as among its interventions in disaster response. Envisioned as a network for social transformation, SLB seeks to foster Catholic social teachings, such as justice animated by love, preferential option for the poor, humanization of life, and promotes volunteerism, collaboration and collective action.

For more information, please visit e-Ugnay.