Communication lines in Odette-hit areas to be fully restored before 2021 ends — DICT

An official from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Tuesday that communication lines in areas affected by Typhoon Odette will be fully restored before the end of the year.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, DICT Acting Secretary Emmanuel Rey Caintic said 80 to 90% of these areas have problems with communication due to the typhoon.

“Siguro, optimistically mga a week pero pipilitin namin na mas maaga…Honest assessment, siguro before the year ends,” he said.

(Perhaps, the communication lines will be restored optimistically in a week, but we will push to make it earlier. Honest assessment, perhaps before the year ends.)

He added that they are still coordinating with the telecommunication companies to fix their services.

In the meantime, Caintic said the DICT is trying to provide satellite phones and radios to local government units that they can use in response and relief operations.

He said that the DICT has prioritized setting up emergency communication between relevant agencies such as the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In the next few days, Caintic said the DICT will work on other areas such as Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Palawan.

The DICT will also set up “tawag centers" in affected areas so the victims will have the opportunity to communicate with their families and relatives. — VBL, GMA News