Telcos working to restore services in Albay, Catanduanes, CamSur

Local telecommunications firms are still in the process of restoring wireless services in areas most  affected by Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni), this year's strongest storm that hit the Philippines last week.

In an advisory on Monday, Globe Telecom Inc. said it restored mobile and data services in Tiwi, Albay, and is working to restore services in other areas hit affected by Rolly.

"Globe is exerting all means possible to complete restoration of services in remaining severely affected areas in Catanduanes, Albay, and Camarines Sur," the Ayala-led telco said.

Globe last week said its call and text services are available in San Andres, and LTE services and internet browsing in Virac, Catanduanes. Cell sites in the two areas and six municipalities in Camarines Sur are also fully operational.

In a separate statement, Smart Communications Inc. said wireless services were restored in most areas affected by Rolly, with the company now focusing efforts in provinces like Catanduanes, Albay, and Camarines Sur.

"It is important that we immediately restore services to our customers that's why we are also providing Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging stations to typhoon-hit communities," said Smart president Al Panlilio.

The Pangilinan-led telco put up free call and charging stations in Virac, Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Camarines Sur, Marinduque, Pampanga, Sorsogon, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Rolly hit the Philippines last weekend and exited the country's area of responsibility on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Smart Communications on Monday also said it partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conserve peatlands in the Caraga region.

Under the partnership, PLDT and Smart will provide digital and communication tools (radio devices, mobile phones, and drone equipment) to Bantay Danao volunteers.

"It is our responsibility, as our business works to make our marketing and merchandising materials more eco-friendly, shirting away from plastics, moving to recyclable materials, and reducing our carbon footprint," said PLDT Inc. chairman and president Manuel Pangilinan. — DVM, GMA News