Telcos restore services, support disaster relief for typhoon-hit areas

Globe Telecom Inc. said Friday it completed service restoration in several provinces in the wake of severe tropical storm Kristine, with efforts ongoing in other areas as ground conditions gradually improve.

PLDT Group said it also intensified its support for disaster relief efforts in the Bicol region in response to the devastation caused by the storm.

Globe said it restored services in Camarines Norte, Oriental Mindoro, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte.

Restoration efforts are nearly complete in Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Albay, Sorsogon and Leyte. Ground crews also began restoration efforts in affected sites in Southern Luzon.

“We are glad to report that several sites affected by power outages due to Kristine are back up 100 percent just as the storm makes its way out of Philippine territory,” said Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer Yoly Crisanto.

“Our personnel are on the ground in other affected areas to swiftly restore service to support relief and recovery efforts and help communities cope with the devastating impact of the storm,” she said.

Meanwhile, PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications said it is providing crucial communication services to the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO).

Through Smart’s Infocast service, APSEMO can disseminate vital updates and alerts to communities affected by the storm.

“In a coordinated effort, PLDT Group has consolidated relief supplies such as food and medicine for delivery via chartered flight to Naga City today, Friday. A base of operations has been established in Albay to facilitate the distribution of aid, with relief trucks from Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc (AKFI) already on their way,” said PLDT and Smart first vice president and group head of corporate communications Cathy Yang.

“Ensuring timely and accurate information sharing, PLDT and Smart, in collaboration with APSEMO, is utilizing our Infocast service in Albay, saving more lives through updates and alerts,” she said.