Telecommunications Bureau receives award for alerts portal.

Telecommunications Bureau Chairman Osvaldo Soto García, left, accepts the Award for Innovation with Public Service Impact from Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service Executive Director Poincaré Díaz Peña.

By THE STAR STAFF

Telecommunications Bureau Chairman Osvaldo Soto García announced on Tuesday that the agency has received the Award for Innovation with Public Service Impact in recognition of its development and integration of a new official alerts portal.

The award was presented by the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service and highlights the intergovernmental coordination involved in creating a centralized platform for official information regarding individuals in danger. Soto García said the tool aims to expedite the location of individuals through the immediate, clear and accessible dissemination of official data.

“It has been an immense source of satisfaction, as we are convinced that it will save lives,” he stated in a press release.

The portal utilizes icons to depict physical characteristics and includes the individual’s name, nickname, an unlimited number of photographs, an approximate location via Google Maps, and direct access to telephone numbers for providing information to authorities.

Soto García noted that the development of the portal took into account that behind every alert lies a family, a community and a life to protect.

“I accept this award with humility on behalf of the Telecommunications Bureau, but, above all, on behalf of the Puerto Rico Police team, the Alerts Panel, and the Emergency Management Bureau team that operates the web system, and to our colleague José Velásquez for his leadership,” he said.