Globe and Smart are restoring service in typhoon Odette affected areas
Just a week before Christmas, Super Typhoon Odette barreled through several parts of the Visayas region and Mindanao. Indeed, this is yet another year that we will never forget for all the wrong reasons.
Typhoon Odette ravaged communication lines and towers
The natural calamity has displaced around 500,000 Filipinos and knocked out communications and electricity in many areas. We can see from the pictures online how it ripped off roofs, toppled concrete power poles, and flooded villages.
Thankfully, there are several LGUs and NGOs are working together to sustain the primary needs of the victims there. Even private companies like Globe Telecom and Smart Communications are working double-time to restore their service in those areas.
Smart said that they have already brought back voice and SMS services in Mindanao. The company has already fixed 94 percent of its wireless sites whereas 97 percent of fixed services are now operational.
In the Visayas, they have already brought back 98 percent of fixed services. Meanwhile, 64 percent of wireless sites are already operational. The telco giant reported that they working on restoring services in the worst-hit provinces.
This includes Surigao del Norte, Siargao and Dinagat Islands, Misamis Oriental in Mindanao. Also, Cebu, Leyte, and Negros Occidental in the Visayas. It added,
“Our teams are on the ground and are doing restoration work round the clock to ensure that everyone gets reconnected. Rest assured that we are on top of the situation, and we empathize with everyone affected by the typhoon.”
Victims can make use of the FREE charging and call stations
On the other hand, Globe offers FREE charging and call stations in several areas in Visayas and Mindanao. This is to allow residents to connect with their families as they continue to restore their services.
Here are the areas with Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging (LTLC) stations:
In Visayas:
- J.A. Clarin, Tagbilaran City
- Near Petron Gas Station, Brgy Ubujan, Tagbilaran City
- Bayantel Office, Ramos, Cebu City
- Globe IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
- Pardo Public Market, Cebu City
- Shell Station, Brgy. Songco, Borongan City, Eastern Samar
- Gaisano Grand Parki Area, Brgy.Central, Orquin St., Calbayog City, Western Samar
- Jaro Plaza in front of Jaro Cathedral Church, Jaro, Iloilo City
- In front of Municipal Hall (People’s Center), San Joaquin, Iloilo
- Quezon Park, Dumaguete City
- Brgy Tangub, Bacolod City beside 7th Day adventist Church
- Brgy Estefania, Bacolod City before Sta. Fe Resort
- Poblacion 2, near RD Pawnshop, Santiago Agusan del Norte
In Mindanao:
- Rose Pharmacy National Highway (near Gaisano Mall), Malaybalay, Bukidnon
- Brgy. Lumbo near Covered Court and Bus Stop, Valencia City, Bukidnon
- Main Road, Zone 3 , Brgy. Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental
The telco explained that service restorations in various areas are ongoing. However, the lack of commercial power and roadblocks slows down the process. The calamity affected around 40 towers of Globe in Visayas and Mindanao, with about 20 towers badly hit in Cebu.
Moreover, they announced that they are extending its free data and unlimited calls and SMS services for its subscribers. In addition, they are also providing their free 1-month KonsultaMD consultation.
Let us all hope and pray that our kababayans in Visayas and Mindanao may recover soon from this disaster.
