Telco services restored in more Odette-hit areas

Local telecommunication companies on Thursday announced the restoration of services in several areas hit by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in the Visayas and Mindanao regions earlier this month.

According to Pangilinan-led PLDT Inc., it and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. have already restored 91% of wireless services and 67% of fixed services in the Visayas region.

It has also restored 83% of wireless services and 90% of fixed services in the Palawan area; and 98% of wireless services and 99% of fixed services in Mindanao.

Remaining sites for major repairs are the Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, including Siargao.

“PLDT and Smart remind customers in previously restored areas that services may be affected by the availability of commercial power and fiber cuts,” the company said.

“The group has committed to reconnect affected customers once access roads are cleared, and commercial power supply stabilizes,” it added.

In a separate advisory, Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. said services have also been restored in the Negros Island where calls, texts, and data for customers are already available.

It has fully restored services in Negros Occidental, while services are back up in 21 municipalities in Negros Oriental.

Mobile network services in most cities and municipalities in Cebu have also been restored, along with three new municipalities in Palawan — Araceli, Dumaran, and San Vicente.

“We continue our response and relief efforts including provision of free wifi and libreng tawag, libreng charging stations in nominated areas,” it said.

The Visayas and Mindanao regions have been severely hit by Odette which entered the country earlier this month. It left the Philippine Area of Responsibility  after causing “total devastation” in areas under its path. — BM, GMA News