Services of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Smart Communications, and Sun Cellular were disrupted in parts of Metro Manila as well as in Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 4 (CALABARZON), and 5 (Bicol).
“Our estimate is that 15 percent and 20 percent of our facilities in Metro Manila and in South Luzon respectively, were affected by the storm. Hardest hit areas were the provinces of Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay,” said PLDT, Smart, and Sun in a joint statement.
The Pangilinan-led firms said that most of its fixed line and mobile network facilities are only running on standby power due to the power outages.
If power is not restored soon, normal services of PLDT, Smart and Sun will be disrupted once internal batteries in its equipment run out.
“We wish to assure the public that we are exerting every effort to restore normal operations as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience and understanding,” the companies said.
Free calls or “libreng tawag” stations are set up in Baytown Market, Brgy. San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, Tonsuya Elementary School, Malabon City, Baseco Evacuation Center Manila, Navotas City Hall, and in Legazpi City in cooperation with the Alagang Kapatid Foundation.
Globe Telecom, meanwhile, said its mobile services were affected in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Quezon and Sorsogon.
Several cell site antennas of Globe were also damaged by strong winds, but no major infrastructure damage was reported.
Globe said its facilities are also running on generators and reserve power.
"Our on-ground technical team are continuously providing reports and doing site assessments for immediate service recovery," said Globe corporate communications head Yoly Crisanto.
The Ayala-led firm also said it is preparing to mobilize “libreng tawag” facilities and relief operations in the areas hit by the typhoon.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
