Governor appeals for telcos to immediately restore communication in Catanduanes

Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua appealed Monday to telecommunication companies for the immediate restoration of communications in the province following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly.

"Sa ngayon po wala talagang communication kami. Unless kung puwede sana mapaboran natin 'yung mga telco company na maestablish kaagad, marestore kaagad 'yung telecommunication para magkaroon ng contact kami sa pamilya ng mga taga-Catanduanes diyan sa Manila o sa abroad," Cua said in a briefing.

It is only now that national government officials, including presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad, were able to communicate with the local officials of Catanduanes.

Jalad said telecommunication firms Globe and Smart are already attending to the request of the local government of Catanduanes.

"They are already doing something in the immediate restoration of telco services in Catanduanes, may mga prepositioned teams," he said.

Rolly made its first landfall over Bato town before dawn on Sunday, affecting at least 15,000 families.

According to Cua, 65% of houses made by light materials were destroyed while 20% of bigger houses were also damaged.

He said Rolly was stronger compared to previous supertyphoons that pounded the province.

Jalad said a flight was bound for Catanduanes on Tuesday to bring food packs for the affected families.—AOL, GMA News