NTC directs telcos to ensure quick restoration amid Kristine onslaught

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has directed telecommunications firms to ensure continuity of services amid the heavy rain and strong winds brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

In a statement, the NTC said it issued a memorandum, on October 21, in anticipation of the entry of Kristine in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

In its memorandum, the telecommunications regulator called on public telecommunications entities (PTEs) “to undertake measures in ensuring continuity of telecommunications services to the Filipino public.”

The NTC, in particular, directed PTEs to provide sufficient personnel, standby generators with extra fuel, necessary tools and spare equipment in areas to be affected by the storm.

The agency also called on PTEs to ensure quick repair and restoration of services in the event of disruptions brought about by the weather disturbance.

PTEs were also ordered to activate the “Libreng Tawag” and “Libreng Charging Stations” in areas to be hit by Kristine.

Citing reports from PTEs, the NTC said telecommunications firms have reported service outages in provinces within the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.

Telecommunications service outages were in the CALABARZON and Northern Luzon regions.

“The primary reason for these telecommunication services disruptions were commercial power interruptions, which were either pre-emptively initiated by power companies/electric cooperatives or naturally caused by the typhoon,” the NTC said.

Globe Telecom, for its part, reported 75% to 92% outages of its services in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Camarines Norte.

Meanwhile, Smart Communications reported the difficult challenge brought by severe flooding in the Bicol Region that hampered its restoration efforts.

Smart also reported to the NTC that 21 families in Daet, Camarines Norte have been given shelter in the middle of this calamity in a PLDT Cable Landing station.

Dito Telecommunity, likewise, reported outages in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Converge also reported service disruptions in the Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, the Cordillera Region, Eastern Visayas and the Ilocos Region.

The NTC said generator sets were deployed to provide temporary power to the network.

The agency said some restoration efforts have been delayed due to impassable flooded roads.

“As of 4:00 p.m. of October 23, Globe reported 12% and 17% restoration in Leyte and Southern Leyte so far,” the NTC said.

“Converge also reported 32% restoration of total affected areas as of 6:00 p.m. of October 23,” it added.

The telecommunications regulator said PTEs have already placed the necessary personnel on standby in areas severely affected, awaiting safe deployment to conduct fast repairs and rectification.

“For areas where it is safe to conduct repairs, service restoration efforts are already ongoing to minimize service downtime,” the NTC said.

Moreover, it said that SpaceX Starlink also extended to the NTC its offer of aid in the form of Starlink internet services for Filipino first responders to utilize during rescue and relief operations

“Further, the PLDT Smart Group reported that it is gearing up to deploy relief goods with PLDT and Smart volunteers and Alagang Kapatid Foundation,” it said.

The NTC said it is closely monitoring the situation and, with the utmost cooperation of the PTEs, working to restore telecommunication services as swiftly as possible so that those affected individuals can remain in touch with their loved ones. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News